For the benefit of those who are unable to comprehend that I don't write every taxi article (that's those folks in Clydebank really) - this one is from the Clydebank Post Taxi drivers annoyed FRUSTRATED cabbies have insisted more and more Clydebank taxi drivers are facing the reality of being forced off the road.
Currently only drivers working for Clydebank Taxis are allowed to pick up passengers from the taxi rank in the Coldstream North car park after entering into an exclusive deal with Helical Bar PLC, the owners of Clyde Shopping Centre.
It also means other cabbies now have to to pay an extra £80 a week if they want to continue picking up passengers from one of the town's busiest spots.
Last week one angry driver warned the Post there will be further protests against the decision in the future and said unless something changes there will be stark consequences for the area's taxi trade.
He said: "We are under increasing pressure and we are being strangled every way possible. If it stays this way, and we can't get in, it will be hell and the demonstrations will continue until we get some sort of result. If this continues there will be a lot of people going to the wall.
"There's a whole load of guys who are going to feel it unless they take the radio but even if they do they'll be £80 more in debt a week which in Clydebank at the moment you can't afford to do."
Since we broke the news of the agreement senior members of the council have also been seeking to persuade Helical Bar PLC to reconsider their decision and have said they want a balanced playing field for all local businesses.
Councillor Lawrence O'Neill, convener of licensing, said: "I am of course extremely disappointed regarding the stance taken by Helical Bar as well as the lack of consultation with the council or the local trade prior to concluding the agreement.
"I have asked the clerk to the licensing committee to write to the Scottish Government to ask them to give power to councils to regulate access to taxi ranks created on land that is not within the council's control. I remain willing to meet with any trade representatives to discuss the issue and consider any other potential solutions that would allow all drivers to ply for their trade without restriction in Clydebank."
Councillor O'Neill has also worked with senior council managers to exhaust every available legal option to prevent the agreement proceeding but to no avail.
He added: "Unfortunately no clauses could be relied upon. Similarly legal officers were again asked to consider whether any other legal remedy might be available to the council including looking at the possibility of interim interdict. Again, most unfortunately, the advice concluded that there were no legal options open to the Council that might have a reasonable prospect of success."
Throughout discussions with the council Helical Bar have clearly stated that they believe they have a binding agreement in place and are plan to implement that agreement.
source:
http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/rou ... s-annoyed/
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