URGENT talks are planned to tackle traffic chaos plaguing a city centre.

Durham Police say Claypath, Durham, has been “like the Wild West” late at night for months now, with thoughtless taxi drivers blocking the road while competing for trade.

Early on Sunday morning, officers took the unprecedented step of closing Claypath to taxis for an hour from 1am, after an ambulance became blocked in.

Today (Monday, October 13), Chief Inspector Andy Huddleston defended the move, saying it was a last resort and the police had “genuine concerns for public safety”.

Further talks have been called for later this week in the hope of finding short and longer-term solutions.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said it was unacceptable for cabbies to cause disruption on highways and urged them to adhere to guidance and principles on where they can and cannot wait.

“We will work with the police to find the best possible solution in the long term and will continue to support them in their efforts to tackle these issues,” he added.

Two drivers were given fixed penalty notices for causing an unnecessary obstruction with a motor vehicle and police are trying to trace a third driver who they say failed to comply with the instructions of a police officer.

Adrian Fets, of Durham Independent Taxi Association, said the closure was immoral and unlawful – “victimisation in its clearest form”, but Graeme Mountford, an ambulance driver, backed the move, saying it was a nightmare attending an incident around Claypath.

Cabbie Clare Stewart said the culprits should be stripped of their licences and Lee’s Taxis, of Sacriston, said both the council and the police were to blame for the problems.

Taxis in Durham have been a problem since at least 2011 when the council liberalised the trade, allowing huge number of cabs to operate in the city.

Numerous traffic schemes have been tried. Currently taxis should park on the A690 sliproad near the Prince Bishops car park, but many illegally stop on Claypath, waiting for revellers to flood out of the nightspots of Walkergate.