SOUTH Essex taxi drivers have expressed relief after it was revealed Uber’s licence to operate in, and around the capital, will soon end.

The controversial, cut-price service will not be issued with an operating licence by the London licensing authority after its current deal expires on September 30.

Transport for London (TfL) concluded that the minicab app is “not fit and proper” to operate in the capital due to concerns which have “public safety and security implications”.

These include its approach to reporting criminal offences and how it carries out background checks on its drivers.

Uber drivers have been operating across the county too, especially in places like Basildon’s Festival Leisure and central Southend.

Basildon taxi driver Mark Waller is pleased, he said: “We’re not out of the woods yet but it’s a step in the right direction.

“It’s good news for passengers because there were so many rules not being adhered to and, as the Mayor of London has said, we can’t have people not playing by the rules.”

Many Southend taxi drivers have raised the same concerns about Uber with TfL and Southend Council for months.

There was an ongoing investigation into allegations that two Southend taxi drivers who had had their licence revoked by the council were resorting to Uber, whose drivers are licensed under TfL authority, so they could continue to operate in the borough.

TfL have been unable to confirm whether this investigation was concluded - or played a part in their decision.

Tony Cox, Southend councillor responsible for transport who supported the taxi drivers’ campaign, said: “Uber is a menace and a scourge to our streets.

“Safety concerns were raised a year a go. It’s just a shame it took so long. The issue has never been about competition for local cabbies. This was about genuine safety concerns for passengers using Uber - that we as a council can revoke a licence and they can continue to operate through that company.

“I just hope that TfL make sure they’ve got this water-tight and that this menace cannot continue after appeal.” Uber has vowed to appeal the decision.