Up to 60 per cent of cabbies are flouting new regulations that stop them picking up revellers from Southend nightspots, a taxi driver said.

Taxis were last month banned from driving up Herbert Grove and Lucy Road, home to nightclubs Talk, Chameleon and Zinc, between 9pm and 4am.

Revellers are now expected to walk to a taxi rank in nearby Seaway car park.

However, taxi driver Paul Sutton claimed the majority of his colleagues had started picking people up from outside the clubs again.

Southend chief supt Mick Thwaites said cab drivers could face a court summons and possible fine if caught.

Published Monday August 16, 2004

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