Taxi drivers have hit out at the council after being kept in the dark over arrangements for today’s Rod Stewart gig in Inverness.
Drivers said they hadn’t been made aware of their access arrangements to collect fans from the show at the Caledonian Stadium.
Highland Council told the Press and Journal that a drop-off zone will be in place on Longman Drive – but only after drivers had complained that were not being kept informed.
The council revealed earlier this week that Stadium Road is to be closed to general traffic before and after the show – but no mention was made of arrangements for taxis in the original taxi notice.
Duncan Fraser, vice-chairman of the Inverness Taxi Alliance, said many drivers had already decided to avoid the area because of the uncertainty.
He said: “We are a public service and we try to do the best we can for the public.
“They never consider the taxi trade when they’re planning for these things.”
Andrew MacDonald, the group’s chairman, said that the trade body, which represents independent drivers across the Inverness area, said that they had been given no notification of the drop-off until yesterday afternoon.
He said: “Bookings have been lost, it’s too late now to change that.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “For public safety – a multi-agency approach between Highland Council, Police Scotland, Caledonian Thistle and the concert agents agreed the temporary traffic notice for the Rod Stewart concert.
“This will enable a temporary road closure to be introduced on part of Stadium Road, Inverness. A one-way restriction, operating in a clockwise direction, will allow buses, emergency vehicles, and vehicles employed in connection with the concert, access through the closed section of road.
“As part of the traffic management plan, provision has been made for taxis with a drop off zone on Longman Drive between the SPP office and Bear Scotland Office.”
