Proposed taxi fare increases could force people to walk home from late night shifts, posing a risk to their safety - two Crewe councillors said.

The new maximum fares suggested for Hackney carriages will be advertised publicly and consulted on, Cheshire East's licensing committee decided on Monday.

Proposals mean that in Crewe and Nantwich, taxi fares would rise from £4.60 to £6 at night - for the first mile.

They are being proposed because taxi drivers face the double whammy of soaring fuel prices on top of the rising cost of living.

Propsals could see Crewe and Nantwich taxi fares rise from £4.60 to £6 for the first mile at night (Shutterstock).

Crewe councillors Sally Handley and Hazel Faddes said fares in Crewe and Nantwich are already the highest of the three zones and further increases could put people's safety at risk.

Cllr Handley (Lab) said: "I find some of these increases concerning because people will be forced to make a decision.

"Can I get home safe in a taxi or am I just going to walk home which, as we've all seen over the last few years, is not always safe."

She added: "I want these taxi drivers to be in work, they should be making a living, they work incredibly hard."

Cllr Sally Handley, Crewe St Barnabas, Labour (Cheshire East Council).

Cllr Handley said soaring fuel prices were being passed on to those at the bottom rather than being dealt with by those at the top.

"Yet again, it's coming down to the people who are working til three in the morning at takeaways, and what have you," she said.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Taxi fares look set to rise in Crewe and Nantwich.

Cllr Faddes (Lab) told the committee: "We don't have buses in Crewe after 6pm. We don't have buses on a Sunday.

"A lot of people cannot afford a taxi any more so they are forced to walk, so it's people who are working at the hospital, people who are working in shops, so it is difficult."

Cllr Hazel Faddes, Crewe East, Labour (Cheshire East Council).

She said Crewe and Nantwich fares were already higher than Congleton and Macclesfield 'so I would appreciate it if it was more equal throughout the borough'.

Licensing officer Kim Evans said: "It's a difficult balance for the committee to strike a reasonable increase for the trade that allows them to continue to meet that living wage.

"Then to not have such an increase that it impacts on customers to the point where it's having a knock-on effect again or to public safety."

The committee approved the proposals for each zone be published for consultation.

The new fares will only come into effect once any objections, if received, have been considered.

Any change in fares only relates to Hackney carriage vehicles as the council has no power to set the fees in relation to private hire vehicles.

Nantwich Road, Crewe. Taxi services and residents often use this road to travel between the two towns at night (Crewe Nub News).

Full details of the proposed maximum new fares, can be found on the council's website HERE.

The committee meeting took place on Monday (June 6) at the council's Westfields HQ, Sandbach.

READ MORE: Local village attracts more than 2500 for huge Platinum Jubilee Garden Party.

(Ryan Parker and Belinda Ryan)