HACKNEY carriage fares in Torfaen are set to increase for the first time in 10 years.

Under the fares planned to be imposed from November 1, the starting meter charge will increase from £3.50 to £4, and from £4.20 to £4.70 between midnight and 6am.

The taxi trade put forward the proposed changes due to the length of time since the last review.

Fares in Torfaen are currently some of the cheapest in Wales, ranked 345 out of 366 authorities in England and Wales.

The average UK figure is given as £5.83 for a two-mile journey, and the all-Wales average is £5.22, according to figures on a council report.

The proposed increase would give a cost of £5.46 for a two-mile day time journey, placing Torfaen at around position 255 on the league table.

Torfaen's licensing committee agreed to move ahead with advertising the proposed increase at a meeting on Thursday.

Cllr Gwyn Jenkins (Independent, Snatchwood ward), said he was shocked at the length of time since the last review.

He said: "I can't believe it's been 10 years.

"Everything has gone up - fuel, insurance, wages - it must be a struggle for the taxi drivers."

Alison Hughes, the council's licensing team leader, explained the council only carries out a review when requested for by the taxi trade.

She said: "When we've asked the trade they have said no, so it isn't that we've been unsympathetic for the last 10 years, it's been that we haven't been asked to do this."

Ms Jenkins explained that taxi drivers have to consider the cost of carrying out a review, and also that some will have to pay for new meters costing £275.

Cllr Norma Parrish (Labour, Panteg) said she was concerned the "big jump" in fares could hit vulnerable people.

"I do have concerns about those who are vulnerable and taxis are the only way they have of moving around," she told the meeting.

Ms Jenkins said around one third of taxis in Torfaen would be affected by the increase.

Pre-booked taxis, where a fare has been agreed in advance, will not be changed.

"The impact will be on those who have done their shopping and who have not arranged any way of getting home," Ms Jenkins added.

The proposed increased fares will now be advertised, and if there are no objections will come into effect from November 1.