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Taxi drivers threaten city centre boycott after accusing police of ‘losing the plot’

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Revellers in Dundee could be left out in the cold this weekend if taxi drivers carry through on a threat to boycott the city centre.

Representatives of the Dundee Taxi Association contacted The Courier to claim that police “lost the plot” in the early hours of Sunday morning, as they clamped down on drivers queuing in non-designated areas.

Tayside Police had sent officers to the Marketgait area after reports that taxi drivers were parking on roundabouts and other thoroughfares while waiting to collect clubbers at the end of the night.

With the cabbies claiming that ultimatums were given to either move on or face fines, a meeting to be held on Tuesday could see drivers boycott the city centre this weekend as they weigh up their options.

Asked if a boycott was a realistic prospect, Graeme Stephen, chairman of the Dundee Taxi Association (DTA), said, “That’s a very great possibility. There are a few options and I can’t determine what will happen just yet.

“A few drivers were talking of strike action or taking two hours off when the clubs come out. There’s a possibility of a boycott of the city centre as well, which I think happened 20 years ago.

“Flyers are going out to all the taxi offices and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens at the meeting on Tuesday.”

The area is a popular choice for late-night taxi drivers, with many waiting to pick up party-goers from nearby nightclubs Fat Sams and Liquid, as well as the G Casino.

Tony Waters, secretary of the DTA, was one of those drivers in the Marketgait area in the early hours of Sunday morning.’Cat and mouse’He said, “It was a bit of a cat and mouse game, as all the police were doing was moving people on. I’ve never seen anything like it the police had lost the plot.

“I saw about 40 cars waiting at one point. They seem to be having some sort of clampdown and it’s coming to a head with the drivers.”

Tayside Police confirmed officers had been sent to West Marketgait but pledged to work with drivers to address the problems.

Chief Inspector Alexander Brodie said, “I understand that some taxi drivers are not happy with the increased attention given by officers to the unofficial rank that has appeared on the West Marketgait.

“This unofficial rank regularly continues from West Marketgait around the roundabout at Hawkhill and, aside from being illegal, increases the potential danger to other road users.

“The safety of the public, whether in vehicles or on foot, is paramount and officers will continue to take appropriate action where necessary.

“Dialogue already exists between Tayside Police, the local authority and taxi drivers in Dundee and I would encourage any taxi drivers who feel it necessary to raise this matter through the recognised channels.”