Proposals to increase restrictions on taxi companies such as Uber criticised by competition watchdog

Proposals which would increase restrictions on taxi companies such as Uber have been criticised by the competition watchdog.

Transport for London is holding a consultation on a series of measures - such as forcing private hire drivers to wait at least five minutes before starting a journey so they can plan an appropriate route.

Other proposals include forcing operators to accept bookings up to seven days in advance, introducing controls over car sharing and ensuring fares are specified in advance.

But the Competition and Markets Authority has warned that a number of the suggestions would harm competition.

In a written response the CMA accepted that mini cab passengers need the protection of regulation, but claimed some of the proposals "would go significantly beyond this".

The CMA concluded that the five-minute delay policy would deny customers a better service than would otherwise be available, while a mandatory pre-booking service could "place undue burdens on some providers".

On the issue of car sharing - which taxi app Uber will launch on Friday - the CMA urged TfL to "balance the competition implications of any proposed regulation against the public safety objectives that (it) rightly seeks to pursue".

More than 192,000 people have signed a petition launched by Uber to express concern that the proposals will make it harder for them to find "a convenient and affordable ride at the tap of a button".

London mayor Boris Johnson has blamed Uber for increasing traffic levels in the city. The number of private-hire driver licences in London has risen from 65,000 in March 2013 to 92,000 earlier this month.

TfL's consultation began on September 30 and will end on December 23.