AROUND 100 private hire taxis with horns blaring formed a huge convoy through Bury town centre on Tuesday in a protest over bus lane restrictions.

The town was the fourth in Greater Manchester to be targeted by private hire drivers who are angry that they cannot pick up or drop off passengers at bus lanes.

They want the same right as black cab drivers who they say are exempt from the regulations.

Around 100 private hire vehicles gathered in Gigg Lane around midday before setting off bumper to bumper to Bury Town Hall.

Mr Derek Brocklehurst, Manchester Private Association secretary, said: “Around 80 of the drivers who took part were from Bury. The convoy was effectively a show of numbers.

“There are 2,000 buses and more than 210 miles of bus lanes in Manchester.

“They now run alongside opticians, pharmacies, doctors, dentists, hairdressers and other essential shops.

“We can no longer stand by while the 10 Greater Manchester councils discriminate against our disabled and elderly customers in respect of private hire not being allowed to pick up or drop off in bus lanes.”

Mr Brocklehurst wants Greater Manchester’s local authorities to treat private hire the same way as black cabs and lift the current restrictions. Representatives have already taken their case to the Association of Greater Manchester Councils (AGMA).