Clydebank taxi and private hire drivers have been given a lifeline to help their families cope with the drop in passenger numbers because of the pandemic.

The Scottish Government diverted funding to local authorities to support businesses, and some of that has been to back taxi and private hire drivers.

Clydebank Taxi Operators (CTO) recently formed as a new group to represent the 216 licensed operators in the town and pushed for grants from the discretionary fund.

The group told the Post members have faced a drop of about 70 per cent in earnings since the pandemic started.

They have particularly been hard hit by the closure of most of Clyde Shopping Centre’s businesses during lockdown, a source of much of the trade for taxi and private hire drivers.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “The council recognises and appreciates the financial hardship of taxi drivers during this pandemic and is pleased to award an additional grant of £1,500 to all approved Coronavirus Taxi Driver and Private Hire Fund applicants.”

A spokesman for CTO said: “The grant is a great help to many struggling drivers who have found this past year extremely difficult. The outcome of the additional grant is also testament to the taxi trade sticking together to achieve a common goal.

“We would like to extend a special thanks to councillors Douglas McAllister and Lawrence O’Neill, who have been instrumental in driving forward our agenda. Their hard work and support is much appreciated.

“CTO would like to thank the general public who have continued to use their service and support the trade throughout these challenging times.”

Last week, the Unite union, which represents taxi operators and drivers, warned of a postcode lottery for the “top up” of support from local authorities.

Their Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: “At every turn the Scottish Government has been dragged kicking and screaming into giving support to the taxi trade, which is in crisis.

“We are demanding that the Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund be reopened to allow an additional top-up grant.

“The reality is that there is a postcode lottery in terms of the levels of support for the trade.”

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said there could be a second £1,500 grant for drivers if the SNP was re-elected.