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.”

Comments

minicab driver skills is a disgrace, black cabs are not better

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-06-11 12:14.

minicab drivers should pass obligatory test on driving skills. They are blind deaf and dangerous! Whenever I see a sticker on the car I know that is something I really have to look out for them - they are blind to things smaller than other cars. Another one was making an aggressive u-turn today forcing me and a biker from opposite direction to emergency brake. And you can't even argue with them cause they can't speak English!

But black cab drivers are no better. They are aware of risks when manoeuvring through London but they are arrogant and they don't mind cutting off vehicles smaller than them. I caught a driver who failed to spot me a few days ago and therefore forcing me to stop, TALKING ON THE MOBILE PHONE. And he was still trying to blame me!

Morris

Black cabs are a polluting rip off

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-06-05 23:17.

Little sympathy for the "Taxi Driver Writes" brigade. They lobbied the Newt for permission to put up fares, the Newt relented and now it's tenner from the west end to clerkenwell or more. They've simply priced themselves out of the market. Am sick of their bleating. Also their diesel powered cabs belch mountains of carbon particulates in the surrounding atmosphere resulting in London breaching EU maximum levels of air pollution. Personally I'd like diesel powered vehicles banned from central London completely.

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