ANGRY taxi drivers are set to protest outside City of York Council offices tomorrow.

The demonstration will be the latest by private hire and Hackney carriage drivers over the licensing of Uber in York.

In September, around 70 taxi drivers drove slowly around the city, flying flags and handing out leaflets to passengers, as part of a nationally coordinated protest against the international firm.

Local drivers claim Uber is taking business from them, but also operating without the safety checks and security demanded by local licensing rules.

Mike Palmer, secretary of the York Private Hire Association, said Tuesday’s protest would not disrupt traffic in the city, and would instead see supporters gather outside the council offices - where the Gambling, Licensing & Regulatory Committee will be meeting to discuss Uber’s licence.

He said: “We’re trying to show councillors in the meeting there’s solidarity in the city and it’s an emotive subject we all want to see resolved.

“I think we’re approaching 50/50 on a decision, that’s my best guess. We have councillors who understand the great implications but the hearing is just about the York licence and the drivers in York are known to the council, and people who are part of the York community.”

York drivers say despite Uber having only a handful of drivers registered in York, scores of Uber workers from other areas visit the city at busy times.

Sid Gitsham, a Hackney carriage driver in the city, said: “We’re hoping to get a good show. Basically, we’re protesting out of towners operating here from everywhere."

He said York taxi drivers each pay £250 a year to the council, while out-of-town drivers contribute nothing.

The latest protest follows the announcement that Sheffield City Council would suspend the Uber’s licence from December 18, and Transport for London making the same move in September.

A spokeswoman for Uber said the suspension in Sheffield was due to an administrative change which the firm would appeal.

She said Uber had requested to change the name on its licence, but had been told it would have to apply for a new one. The application was still being processed, but the council had sent letters to the wrong address

She said: "We hope this administrative error can be quickly resolved.”