University staff who are experiencing problems when trying to call local taxi company Streamline are being asked to use a freephone number until a fault with the firm’s phone service has been fixed.

The University and the Students' Union have a 'Fare Deal' scheme with Streamline Taxis, which means that passengers are charged a flat fare for travel from campus to anywhere in central Brighton (or vice versa).

Many departments and units also have accounts with Streamline, but at present are unable to book taxis by phone via the Streamline switchboard on 01273 202020 or 747474.

Streamline have received confirmation that anyone ringing from a withheld phone number (which applies to callers from the University) is unable to get through to them on these numbers.

This fault has been reported to Streamline’s telephone company for urgent action, but it may be some days before the problem is fixed.

In the meantime, Streamline is able to receive calls on the following freephone numbers: 0800  223300, 0800  252917  and 0800 216175.