Uber granted an operator's licence in Lincoln

Ride-hailing service Uber has been granted a licence by City of Lincoln Council.

It comes after concerns were raised over Uber drivers working in the city under licences issued elsewhere in the country.

Simon Colburn, assistant director for health and environmental services at the council, said issuing the licence meant the authority could now "manage complaints, enforce safety standards and protect passengers".

An Uber spokesperson said: "We see strong demand for Uber in Lincoln."

Taxi drivers had previously raised concerns over the rise of Uber in the city, stating that Uber drivers had not "jumped through the same hoops" as other drivers had done.

Colburn said: "In their application, Uber met all statutory requirements, and in these circumstances we are legally required to issue a licence.

"Doing so has provided us with local oversight and regulatory control of all their drivers who are licensed by the city council."

An Uber spokesperson said: "We're currently working on our plans to launch in the area.

"Importantly, this will also offer new earning opportunities for local drivers.

"On Uber, all drivers have access to industry leading worker rights such as holiday entitlement and access to a pension scheme, as well as formal representation through GMB Union."

Speaking on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, self-employed Uber driver Adam, who works in Lincoln, said he had started the process to switch the plates and badges on his taxi over to the city in the summer when his licence issued in Wolverhampton expires.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices