London’s taxi drivers have brought the capital to a standstill once again. The protest, the second of its kind in recent months, brought gridlock to London’s West End, as irate taxi drivers called on TfL to act on a variety of issues.
From regulation and licensing through to rickshaws, the proposed cycling superhighway and the Uber app, London’s licensed cabbies have a lot to be angry about right now. It’s been a tough time for them recently and they feel that their livelihoods are being threatened from various directions – hence the protest.
Back in June the focus of their ire was Uber; a smartphone app that advises customers on the optimum fare for a journey, without taking into account ‘real life’ issues such as traffic jams, roadworks – or even the legality of the app itself. This time the protest, which closed Westminster Bridge to Parliament Square and clogged up Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Regent Street and the Mall, included a number of other issues.
The Cycle Superhighway
One of the big concerns for black cab drivers is Mayor Boris Johnson’s proposed ‘cycling superhighway’, which would reduce road space for motorised vehicles in favour of bicycles. The original proposal was part of Johnson’s £913m Cycling Vision in March 2013 and has been the cause of plenty of controversy since its initial announcement. The key highway (in amongst many that have been proposed to criss-cross the city) is the ‘Crossrail’ link, which will run all the way from west London, through the West End and into the city in the east.
The reason that these superhighways have been lauded by both TfL and the Mayor’s office is that they propose to increase cycling in London by 400% by 2025 (compared to 2001 levels). However, black cab drivers in particular believe that little or no consideration has been given to the impact of these proposals on the livelihoods of taxi drivers, who will be forced onto narrower roads and consequently be subject to greater levels of congestion, rather than less.
A Black Cab Backlash
The result is that in the next few years we could start to see a rash of black cabs for sale, as many experienced and qualified London cabbies leave the industry. This in turn could have a knock-on effect in the attractiveness of the Capital both as a place to do business and as a tourist attraction.
Boris and TfL have come under increasing attack from unions and the London Taxi Driver’s Association (LTDA). Peter Kavanagh, from the union Unite, put it succinctly while criticising Boris Johnson’s proposals: “From failing to tackle the increasingly hazardous rickshaw brigade, to shrugging his shoulders and allowing the Uber app, which doesn’t take bookings or even pay tax in this country…. the mayor has shown his true colours,” he said.
However, TfL has countered, claiming that the onus lies with the taxi industry to adapt and accept the proposals. Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director for surface transport, asked the drivers to communicate their concerns directly, rather than causing what he termed “unnecessary disruption to other road users” by mounting the protests.
In response, taxi drivers have indicated that unless their concerns are addressed and a line of communication opens between all parties, London could be faced with more black cab blockades in the future.