A PEDICABS licensing scheme is expected to be in place by the autumn after a long-awaited bill completes its passage through parliament.

The Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster Nickie Aiken said the legislation, which is on its way to royal assent, would put an end to the “horror stories” about unlicensed drivers in the West End. The Pedicabs (London) Bill would bring the curtain down on a decade long row about the rickshaw-style cabs that have triggered thousands of complaints.

She said: “I am delighted that after 10 years, four private members’ bills, and now a government-backed bill, we will have a pedicab licensing regime for London coming very soon.

“It’s now down to TfL to do a statutory consultation after the mayoral elections and then there is no reason why a pedicab licensing scheme cannot be in place by early autumn.”

Ms Aiken has said that she will not be standing at the next general election and will leave the country to start a new life with her husband in the United Arab Emirates.

A post on the MP’s website added: “Whether it’s to end the blaring music which can go on until the very early hours of the morning, stop the pavements from being blocked by riders who park there, or prevent another story of a tourist or visitor being charged hundreds of pounds for a journey that lasts just a few minutes… Our licensing scheme will put an end to the horror stories.”

In recent years there have been reports of pedicab drivers charging huge amounts to tourists for short trips. Amplified music coming from the vehicles was also causing a problem for residents.

Westminster City Council has prosecuted drivers under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, but this has only led to a handful of small fines ranging between £26 and £751.

The city council had backed the bill saying more powers were needed to clamp down on rogue drivers, comparing the situation to the “Wild West”.

Transport for London will administer the licensing scheme similarly to how they administer licences for black cabs and private hire vehicles.

It will require drivers and their vehicles to undertake checks to confirm they are fit and proper to take passengers.

Drivers in breach of the legislation could face having their licence revoked, their pedicab confiscated, or a fine of up to £2,500. The bill has completed its third reading in the House of Commons.

Roads and local transport minister Guy Opperman said: “For too long, rogue pedicabs have taken advantage of the lack of rules around fares and licensing, so we’re taking action to close that loophole.

“We know this issue has caused real concerns about the impact on safety and traffic, from clogging up bus lanes to blaring loud music, and this common-sense law will help to put businesses at ease and end the chaos in hotspots like Soho and Covent Garden.”

Ros Morgan, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “We are delighted to see the pedicabs bill take its final steps towards becoming law today. Without regulation, pedicabs have been a menace to London. With regulation, they could prove to be a safe and environmental means of travel. We look forward to working with TfL, who will enforce the regulations, to ensure that the scheme works for the capital.”