A LONG-ESTABLISHED minibus operator has condemned St Albans District Council's licensing policies which nearly forced it to close.

Whites Coaches, which transports special needs children and adults to and from schools and day centres in St Albans, came close to folding after more than 40 years in business when the council refused to license half its fleet.

Under new regulations vehicles for hire in St Albans must be under two years old when the eight-year licences are granted, with less than 36,000 miles on the speedometer and a full service history.

But owner of the family business Greg White said the rules were over strict and more stringent than in neighbouring districts.

"Why is it always St Albans that is the most stringent and inflexible?" he said.

"St Albans without a doubt has gone way overboard and hasn't acknowledged the position that people like me are in.

"To dismiss even the thought of licensing my vehicles was wrong - they should have had a meeting with me and looked at the vehicles and made an assessment on that."

To comply with the regulations by replacing some of his vehicles would have cost him £150,000 - a sum he cannot afford.

Fortunately for him, White Coaches can still operate in St Albans as it is now licensed by Three Rivers District Council, which has less stringent licensing regulations.

Greg said: "I didn't feel I was offered any support by St Albans District Council and as far as I'm concerned it's St Albans' loss and Three Rivers' gain."

But St Albans District Council has defended its licensing policies saying their overriding duty is protection of the public.

Spokesman Firhan Malik said: "As a licensing authority our duty is to ensure that vehicles carrying passengers in the district are as safe as possible.

"If an applicant feels aggrieved with these conditions he can appeal to the magistrates' court."