Spanish taxis warned they will be stopped from entering Gibraltar as border removed

Spanish taxi drivers have been warned they will be stopped from crossing into Gibraltar — one day after the border checkpoint between the neighbours was removed. The Gibraltar government said transport officers will be at the border to “monitor and prevent” Spanish cabs from entering the British Overseas Territory.

The officers will also be able to issue fines and work with other law enforcement agencies to impound or remove vehicles from Gibraltar. The announcement came after a Spanish taxi was reported for allegedly operating in Gibraltar on Wednesday — the same day the border fence was removed — without a licence. Footage shared by local media showed two local tax drivers hemming in the Spanish cab.

The drivers, who called the police, said it was the second incident of the day and voiced concerns that locals may use taxi services from across the border, the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation reports.

In a statement on Thursday, Gibraltar’s transport ministry said inspectors at the border will remind Spanish cabbies that “the laws governing the taxi service have not changed” despite the removal of the physical border.

The ministry said: “The Inspectors will report and issue the appropriate fine and will be working with other law enforcement agencies to either impound or remove the vehicle from Gibraltar, should these actions become necessary.

“The ministry asks the public to report any further incidents to law enforcement agencies who will endeavour to deal with such instances quickly and promptly.

“Contact is being made with neighbouring jurisdictions to remind them of the fact that the rules for cross-border transport have not changed.

It added: “The Government fully supports taxi drivers and the great service they provide both the community and visitors alike. They can count on its full support to protect all drivers and their trade.”

The agreement for the removal of the border fence was signed in Brussels on Tuesday and came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, with both British and Spanish nationals celebrating the new freedom of movement.

The move is set to end lengthy delays and checks for those travelling across the border.

Some 15,000 Spaniards — almost half Gibraltar’s workforce — cross the frontier every day for work.

The agreement comes after years of post-Brexit discussions.