Bank Junction taxi access review plan ‘more complicated than it needs to be’ says LTDA
Taxi representatives have expressed their concerns at the Bank Junction review plan which has been set up to assess future black cab access through the heart of the capital’s financial district.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) called the review process ‘more complicated than it needs to be’ and also questioned whether it was trying to ‘muddy the waters’ on the distinction between licensed taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV).
Representatives from the LTDA and City of London Corporation are to meet to discuss the concerns tabled.
In April, the City of London Corporation (COLC) confirmed a review will take place that could see restrictions on black cabs and other drivers crossing through Bank junction on weekdays lifted.
In the motion passed at the Court of Common Council, elected Members agreed to review all traffic restrictions currently in force. It will look at specific justifications for the restrictions and whether schemes comply with existing policy.
Currently only buses, cyclists and pedestrians have been allowed to access Bank Junction between 7am and 7pm on weekdays since 2017.
The motion put forward in April by Alderman Timothy Hailes was supported by 45 members of the Court of Common Council. It focused originally on just allowing future access to wheelchair accessible black cabs, however, a review for wider private vehicle usage has now been granted.
Paul Brennan, LTDA Chairman, wrote in TAXI Newspaper: “After reading the review plan, we have some serious concerns. It seems to being set up in a way, which makes granting taxis access more complicated than it needs to be. If you ask me, it looks like the officers are trying to muddy the waters, for example they are suggesting that they would need to look at the sensitivities around granting taxis access and not PHVs. Why? Taxis and PHVs are completely different things, with different rights and responsibilities. We can go in bus lanes and they can’t. We have special status, they don’t. I could go on all day, but you know it all already.
“The review also has two phases. The first phase will look at the potential impact of the four different options they have set out for changing the traffic mix. These are adding taxis, adding taxis and motorbikes, adding motorbikes or restoring access to all vehicles. They will then decide which options to take forward for more detailed analysis and consultation. This means that they could potentially decide not to progress an option which includes taxis to the second phase and fully consider it, which was the whole purpose of the review in the first place!
“We have arranged a meeting this week, with the officers leading this, to discuss our concerns. We want to make sure this review paints a fair picture of the benefits and importance of giving licensed taxis access to this crucial junction.”
