Black cab drivers brought parts of central London to a standstill today as they continued their ongoing protest about the Mayor of London's plans to ban them from driving on roads in parts of the capital.
The drivers caused gridlock for the third time in a week by lining their cars along Parliament Square and surrounding streets.
The cabbies are demonstrating against plans - supported by Sadiq Khan and Transport for London - to make key routes in the capital open to only buses and bikes.
The black cab caused gridlock for the third time in a week by lining their cars along Parliament Square and surrounding streets.
It is proposed black cabs should be banned from a section of Tooley and Tottenham Court Road. They have already been banned from the Bank junction in central London
Black cab drivers brought central London to a standstill today as they continued their protest about plans to ban them from driving on roads in parts of the capita
The plans form part of Sadiq Khan's 'Healthy Streets' strategy which aims to enable more people to walk, cycle and use public transport by making London's streets healthier, safer and more welcoming. Pictured two protesters hold up a banner which appeals to TFL to stop banning black from London's roads
All other vehicles, including black cabs, will be banned from roads including Tottenham Court Road, Tooley Street near London Bridge and a major junction in the City of London.
Cabbies, many waving placards declaring 'where buses go, we go', demand to be allowed to use the roads as well.
The controversial road changes are driven by individual London boroughs, but are supported by the mayor-controlled TfL as part of City Hall's desire to clamp down on air pollution.
They include Camden Council's £35million project to reduce congestion and improve air quality by banning cars, lorries and black cabs from Tottenham Court Road.
Only buses and bicycles will be permitted to use the road between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday, with drivers who breach the restriction facing a £130 fine.
Southwark Council is also proposing to change the layout of Tooley Street near London Bridge which would see a section of it restricted to buses and cycles only.
There is also anger by drivers over the decision in 2017 to ban all traffic except buses and bicycles from Bank junction in central between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.
The drivers believe that bans on them using the roads are threatening their livelihoods and could make congestion and levels of pollution worse.
The plans form part of Labour mayor Mr Khan's 'Healthy Streets' strategy which aims to enable more people to walk, cycle and use public transport by making London's streets healthier, safer and more welcoming.
Ben Plowden, director of strategy and network development at TFL, said: 'The Mayor's Healthy Streets programme is making London's streets more attractive, accessible and people-friendly, encouraging Londoners and visitors to walk, shop and enjoy their streets.
'[Camden Council's] decision to reduce motor traffic in the area, alongside our investment in roads and public spaces, will reduce danger to the most vulnerable road users as well as helping to clean up the area's toxic air.'
Some of the taxi protesters appeared to be objecting to being made to pay the mayor's new Ultra-Low Emission Zone charge when it comes into force in April.
But TFL have confirmed on Twitter that black cabs will be exempt from the £12.50 charge - although most other vehicles will have to pay it.
Last year, Mr Khan implored the government to give him the power to put a New York-style cap on how many licensed vehicles are allowed on London's streets.
In a letter to transport secretary Chris Grayling, Mr Khan said back in August: 'Unlike New York, I don't have the power to cap the number of private hire vehicles in London.
'I am writing to again urge the Government to grant me that power as the mayor of London - alongside appropriate restrictions on cross-border hiring, to enable Londoners, like New Yorkers, to breathe better air and live in a less congested city.'
They are protesting about the Mayor of London's Sadiq Khan's plans to ease traffic on London's roads in a bid to improve air quality and reduce fatalities, by banning them from certain areas
There is also anger by drivers over the decision in 2017 to ban all traffic except buses and bicycles from Bank junction in central between 7am and 7pm on weekdays. Pictured, a poster placed in one of the cab's windows during the protest
photo link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/black-cab-drivers-bring-parliament-square-to-a-standstill-again/
News Photo Black cab drivers bring Parliament Square to a standstill again
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