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Caerphilly County Borough Taxi Drivers’ Association has lodged a formal complaint against the council after several of its members were turned away at civic amenity sites.

Under new council rules, taxis are no longer allowed to visit recycling sites without a permit costing £35.

The drivers’ association says this puts their members at a disadvantage when they want to get rid of their own domestic waste as many use their work vehicles as their personal vehicles.

George Edwards, chair of the Caerphilly County Borough Taxi Drivers’ Association and independent candidate for the Cefn Fforest and Pengam ward, has written to the council’s chief executive Christina Harrhy.

He told Caerphilly Observer: “Taxi drivers already pay £197 a year for their licence.

“There has been no consultation and taxi drivers are being penalised simply for the job that they do.”

Mr Edwards has been told by council officers the new rule was introduced after claims drivers were taking commercial waste to centres on others’ behalf – something he questions.

The association has now started a formal complaint against the council.

A council spokesperson said the local authority was reviewing the complaint.