By News Editor Declan Wilkes

Around 500 black taxis are being taken off the road after several major fire scares.

Seven of the brand new model vehicles have reportedly burst into flames in the past three months and Transport for London have called in the fleet for inspection by makers London Taxis international

The new designs went on the street a little under two years ago - there were rumors it the engine was rejected by the Italian army and others that it was launched in the winter because it will boil up in summer.  The fires have reportedly started in the engines.

Inspections

TX4-type cabs with a 56 registration must have their taxis inspected within two weeks; otherwise their licence will be suspended. If they fail the test, their licence will be suspended.

Transport for London claim the cabs affected were a "small proportion" of the fleet and safety was their priority - 250,000 people use the service every day.

The spokeswoman said:

"The manufacturer is recalling all TX4s in this registration range to allow further investigation and a thorough safety check of the vehicles' engines which must be carried out within the next two weeks."

Bendy busses

This is not the first time TfL have had fire scares with its transport fleet.

Four years ago the controversial vehicles entire fleet was taken out after several spontaneously caught fire - three whilst in service another in transit. That was blamed on an engine fault that was supposedly fixed.

At the end of August footage emerged of another bendy bus spontaneously busting into flames.

Firefighters were called to the Ashgrove bus garage in Hackney after the driver noticed a burning smell on the training bus. It quickly engulfed the whole single decker, wreaking it. Workers were apparently ordered to delete phone images. An investigation is ongoing.