Taxi drivers have dropped their legal opposition to a city-wide speed limit – but said there were still “unanswered questions” for a local authority to answer.

A statement from the GMB union said firms had neither the “time or money” to pursue Brighton and Hove City Council’s decision to impose a 20mph limit through the courts.

GMB secretary Mick Hildreth said: “This will save the electorate several hundred thousand pounds in legal fees.

“But we are pleased to have highlighted the council’s lack of consultation with the trade.

“The GMB will be contacting the local government ombudsman due to their recent formal complaint concerning the total lack of consultation by Brighton and Hove City Council.

“We hope that the leaders of our council have learned a valuable lesson and will never again treat the public, key stakeholders and the taxi trade with the contempt they showed.”

Ian Davey, chairman of the council’s transport committee, said: “I’m very pleased that the introduction of the 20mph speed limit areas is progressing as planned and is making the city’s streets safer.

“I can confirm that proceedings with regard to a judicial review have not been issued and there have been no alterations to the initial roll out of the scheme.

“Any future 20mph speed limit areas in the city will involve a great deal of consultation.”