Licence protest - Cabbies’ blockade against illegal taxis hits West End streets
Published: 4 June 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM
SCORES of black cab drivers blocked West End streets in a protest against illegal minicabs.
Licensed black cab drivers claim the minicab trade poses a threat to public safety and needs tougher policing.
The blockade began at 3pm on Wednesday in Aldwych, causing heavy congestion along the Strand.
Police say more than 3,000 unlicensed minicab touts have been arrested since 2003, but cab drivers say their cause has been met with indifference by the authorities, including the Mayor of London and Westminster Council.
A spokesman for the protesting drivers said: “We are sorry that we have to block the streets to make our voices heard, but we feel we have no other option.”
A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “We introduced the one strike and out policy for drivers and operators and have revoked over 250 licences to date. Any operator found to be employing staff that we find touting the street will have their licence revoked.”