Big changes to how taxis in Windsor and Maidenhead look could be coming if councillors sign off on the makeover next week.

Licensed taxis in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – known as Hackney carriages – currently must be white with a purple bonnet and boot and feature its coat of arms. But now the borough council is considering scrapping the purple while keeping the coat of arms.

Council plans say this will ‘reduce the size and costs’ of the livery for drivers while keeping the ‘recognisable look’ of a licensed cab in the Royal Borough.

The council first considered whether it should change its required livery for licensed Hackney carriages that were electric or hybrid cars last year. Plans at the time suggested that this could be a way of encouraging a move away from fossil fuel powered vehicles.

A council survey last year found that 65.8 per cent of the 329 people who responded thought the livery should remain as it is.

Some people who replied to the survey said they thought the unique paintwork helped give the Royal Borough an identity – while helping people to recognise which taxis were safe, licensed cabs.

One person said: “It is a clear visual clue that the car is a licenced RBWM taxi and not an un-licenced car. You have to be careful these days about getting into cars with no clear markings.”

dThe proposed new livery for licensed taxis in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (Image: RBWM) Another said: “It instills confidence that you're getting into a taxi that is safe and authorised. There are too many dodgy unofficial drivers out there. The livery creates a sense of pride and security - especially for women. They also look nice for visitors and support our heritage.”

But other people who responded spoke about the expense to taxi drivers of getting their cars wrapped in the Royal Borough branding. One said: “I do not think it provides any benefit as people know a Hackney carriage has a meter and taxi sign. It costs the drivers a lot of money anywhere between £1,500/£2,000 to wrap car and stickers cost £200.”

And another said: “There might not be an actual benefit but cars in that colour scheme don’t look good, especially older ones. And it is an extra expense for taxi drivers while joining.”

After the survey, councillors on the Royal Borough’s licensing panel agreed in February this year that the livery should be changed ‘to ease the burden on drivers whilst still ensuring the cars are recognisable’.

Now they are being asked to approve a new design that says licensed cabs must be white and have a crest on both of its front doors. The crest must also indicate if the car is electric or hybrid.

The licensing panel is set to make its decision on Monday, October 14.