Taxi drivers have moved a step closer to being allowed to drive in certain bus lanes around Watford after councillors backed proposals to grant them privilege.

Hackney carriages, taxis with the Watford Borough Council crest on the side, could be allowed to drive in bus-only areas in the High Street, Station Road and St Albans Road, in the coming months.

The decision still has to be finally okayed by the highways bosses at at Hertfordshire County Council next month.

Taxi drivers welcomed the move saying it could save money for customers by avoiding traffic queues and also free up drivers to do more jobs.

The borough’s cross-party Highways Joint Members Panel backed the move on Thursday.

Shafiq Ahmed, the chairman of the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers Association said cabbies had been pushing for the move for two years and thanked councillors for their support on the issue.

He said Hackney Carriages could drive in bus lanes in London and so it would made sense to expand it to Watford.

Mr Ahmed said: “It is logical as it will make our service more efficient for the passengers and then drivers will be able to go on to their next job.”

At the meeting the proposals received wide-ranging support from councillors.

If given final approval the new rules will allow hackney carriage drivers to use the High Street from Lower High Street that is currently bus only.

They would also be able to use the bus lane on Station Road between Watford Junction and St Albans Road and on St Albans Road between Bedford Street and Station Road. Liberal Democrat Jan Brown said hackney carriages needed to be able to use the bus lane in Station Road by Watford Junction Station as passengers end-up seeing their fares sky-rocket after getting caught in gridlock.

“I have been stuck there for 20 minutes before with a hackney carriage behind and seen people get out saying there’s been £6 on the clock while sat there and walk off.

“It’s desperately needed.

Lib Dem Andy Wylie added: “There is a high demand for taxis in Watford and we should be accommodating them as public transport.”