Cabbies' fury at warning of fines if they're caught short

Cabbies claim they have been put in an impossible position as they are often caught short while waiting at the airport's main taxi rank between flights.

Cabbies waiting for passengers ask the driver behind to move their cabs down the queue while they go to nearby toilets.

But airport bylaws state drivers must be with their vehicles at all times or be liable for a 30 fine.

Earlier this week airport bosses told taxi drivers they would be banned after complaints that some of them were urinating in bushes near the main entrance.

It is understood a number of drivers have been warned about leaving their cabs unattended in recent months and cabbies today called for more discretion from the police or for proper toilets to be installed at the busy rank.

Tommy Robson, 66, was warned by two policemen after leaving his taxi with another cabbie while using the airport toilets last Thursday.

Mr Robson, of Craigentinny, a taxi driver for the past 13 years, said: "There were at least 12 cabs in front, so I had plenty of time. I was away a few minutes at most and came back to find these two police officers next to my cab.

"They just warned me, but said I was liable for a fine next time - it was crazy.

"You can be caught in that rank for up to an hour between flights and, to be frank, I was desperate.

"The airport is raking in lots of money from the rank, it would be easy enough to put in a Portaloo or something."

Police chiefs today said they were simply upholding the bylaws and airport bosses said the laws were necessary to keep traffic flowing.

Airport operator BAA posted a warning sign beside the taxi rank telling drivers they wouldn't be allowed back if they were caught urinating in bushes.

Drivers caught short have been captured on CCTV nipping into bushes beside the taxi rank instead of using public toilets in the nearby multi-storey car park.

Murray Fleming, secretary of Central Radio Cabs, which operates about 380 taxis in the city, said:

"We have asked for dedicated facilities in the past but most of the drivers use the multi-storey's toilets.

"This situation seems crazy. Surely they could apply a bit of common sense. They are effectively saying taxi drivers at the airport aren't allowed to use the toilets."

A BAA Edinburgh Airport spokeswoman said: "The purpose of this bylaw is to keep traffic flowing, and it forms part of the terms of conditions that taxi drivers have to follow if they want to use the airport."