TAXI marshals will continue to make Huddersfield’s streets safer for late-night drinkers.
And a top councillor has said the scheme may be expanded to other towns in Kirklees.
The council’s Cabinet decided yesterday to go on paying for the taxi marshals, who began work in Huddersfield town centre last year, for at least three years.
Six civilian marshals patrol taxi ranks on Zetland Street and Cross Church Street on Friday and Saturday nights to prevent trouble.
They started work last December thanks to Home Office money.
But Kirklees will now meet the £55,000 a year running costs until 2010.
The marshals have helped make late-night drinkers feel safer.
Some 80% said they believed there was less violence than before.
Council leader Clr Robert Light agrees.
He said: “The scheme has been effective in making sure people can use taxis safely in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
“The taxi marshals have made a big difference and that’s why we want to continue funding them.”
Clr Light added that the taxi marshals scheme could be used in other parts of Kirklees.
He said: “We may expand the scheme to other towns in the district.
“Dewsbury and Batley would be obvious candidates.”
