TERROR TIMES
CLYDEBANK TAXI DRIVERS SLAM LACK OF ACTION OVER RISE IN STONE THROWING
Frustrated taxi drivers have branded promises from rail bosses that they will consider removing stones from Clydebank train station as “all words, no action”. In May the Clydebank Post reported that red chipping stones could be removed from the platform following several inci- dents of vandalism amid a rise of anti-social behaviour in the town. The news came as little comfort to the 85 members of the Clydebank Taxi Operators and Drivers Trade [CTODT] who told the Post they’re fed up and are calling for urgent action before someone is hurt. Charles Murray, chairman of CTODT, explained the issue has been ongoing at the Alexander Street rank for around eight years. He said: “The kids come up here and hold the train doors, they know full well if they jump on the train they won’t get caught. They stand at the side of the bridge and fire stones at the Co-op, the buses, taxis, and people passing by. “If a stone smashes our window that’s £75 to £100 each time to get it replaced, plus your time off work. “Your livelihood is affected because if you can’t get it fixed that day due to stock issues or whatever you could be off the road for a week. “That’s a week’s wages, plus excess, and you’ve not always got £100 to spare. When they’re up there throwing stones down they know exactly what they’re doing. “But who is liable? You phone up a number for Network Rail and they’ll say ‘It’s nothing to do with us, it’s British Transport Police [BTP] you need to go to’. “The two of them just pass the
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first time it was my windshield. When I reported the issue via the help point at the station I was told the cameras wouldn’t have caught it as they’re not facing that way. The person on the intercom also said they [ScotRail] won’t remove the stones because
buck to each other, they’re
constantly back and forth. “I told them it’s been going on for eight years so why has nothing been done?” Just two weeks ago Charles and another driver were parked on Alexander Street when they were reportedly pelted with stones. He said incidents like this have forced drivers to “abandon” the rank due to safety concerns. James Dylan raised similar fears last year after youngsters smashed the back window of his car. He added: “It was frightening. If I had anyone in here that whole window would have come straight in and hit them, it hit me when it shattered. “This has happened twice now, the
they’re there for show. “Three weeks ago I was chatting to another driver and they
just
leathered us with stones. The kids know nothing happens when you report it which is why they do it. “We need action, this has to be dealt with, we’ve had enough.” Alasdair McWhirter, Chief Inspector at BTP, said: “We are aware of reports of stones being thrown from the platform at Clydebank train station. We have zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour on Scotland’s rail network. Our officers patrol stations and onboard trains in the area to apprehend those engaging in unacceptable behaviour. “Our officers have also been visiting local schools to educate young people on the dangers of in- appropriate behaviour at stations.”
TAXIS / PHVs PELTED WITH STONES AND EGGS IN OSSETT
PHTM has received reports that taxis and private hire vehicles have been pelted with stones and eggs in Ossett town centre. The police were informed but they let the culprits go as they were too young to prosecute.
The trade in Ossett is very angry, as not only is this criminal damage but some drivers and customers have been injured. The drivers told PHTM: “This is not acceptable, we demand police take action regardless of their age.”
AUGUST 2023 PHTM
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