'SO UN-FARE!' Cabbies' anger brings city centre roads to a standstill.

HUNDREDS of taxis staged a noisy demonstration against council proposals to axe the limit on the number of hackney licences in Cardiff.

With 400 car horns blaring outside County Hall yesterday, taxi drivers were determined to make their feelings heard about plans to allow more cabs on the city's roads.

And a High Court injunction has been granted to one city cab owner temporarily preventing Cardiff council axing the current licence limits.

The legal action by Carl Cummings of the Black Cab Association prevents council officials removing the limit on the number of licences - currently 480 - for at least eight weeks.

Opponents of the council's so-called delimitation plans argue the decision will lead to greater congestion with increased competition and drivers working longer hours.

Supporters claim it will make it easier to get a cab after a weekend night out.

Mr Cummins said: 'Getting rid of the limit would mean that anyone could own a hackney licence and it creates the possibility of unsafe cabs.

'There are peak demand times in the early mornings over the weekend, and when events are taking place at the Millennium Stadium, but delimiting the number of cabs will not solve that..'

Babiker Korak, chairman of the hackney association said: 'The council action will destroy the trade and throw people out of work.'

Terry Regan, 53, from Pontprennau, Cardiff, who was leading the hundreds of taxis in the demo, said: 'This is going to affect our living. We are struggling for business as it is.'

Omar Rashid, 38, from Tremorfa, said: 'We don't know what will happen to us. Everyone is worried.'

A council spokeswoman confirmed the injunction banned the council from implementing its decision to delimit taken on October 7, pending the determination of the proceedings or a further order being issued.

More demonstrations are planned.