Anger at London tuk-tuks plan

Transport for London is considering an application for a fleet of the "tuk-tuk" three-wheelers to operate in the West End.

Tuc Tuc Ltd, which already runs a service in Brighton, has applied for a permit to run three- and six-seater taxis from a base in London Bridge.

In Brighton, the gas-powered vehicles have been involved in several accidents. In one, a man was left in a coma after he fell from a tuk-tuk and was hit by a car on the seafront. In another, at a school fair, two children were taken to hospital after a driver lost control and his tuk-tuk overturned.

Following the accidents, Tuc Tuc Ltd owner Dominic Ponniah temporarily withdrew the service before relaunching it with a bigger fleet of 22 vehicles in May.

The new Indian-made tuktuks have a stronger chassis, cushioned headrests, reinforced exits and seat belts to improve safety. They also have TV screens showing news and adverts.

Mr Ponniah, 27, has applied to run a London service between 8am and 4am daily, with fares yet to be decided.

Black cab drivers have objected, even though the tuktuks would not be allowed to pick up passengers in the street and only allowed to transport people who had booked a ride.

A spokesman for the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association-said: "There have been a number of accidents calling tuk-tuks' safety in to question. They upend very easily and don't offer protection in a crash.

"We've already called for licensing of the cycle rickshaws that block up the roads, especially around Soho. Tuktuks are also going to make it harder for cars and they don't contribute to London's transport, they're a novelty item."

No one from Tuc Tuc Ltd was available for comment. TfL said it would consult police and councils but there was no timeline for a decision.

Tuk-tuks are so called after the sound of the two-stroke petrol engines used to power the models used in Asia.