WHITEHALL will decide on Herefordshire Council's controversial single taxi licensing zone - an idea that some cabbies say is just not fair.

The authority has applied to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) for confirmation of a countywide bylaw that brings about a single licensing area, as opposed to the existing four.

To comply with current legislation, the council has to advertise the initiative for a statutory period, which ends around the middle of this month.

After that, it is up to the DETR to confirm the application. A decision is expected in June.

But there is widespread opposition to de-regulation among Hereford's Hackney drivers.

They have claimed the move would cause friction as an increased number of cabbies contest a limited market.