'END THE WAR ON CABBIES': Brian Rose drives a taxi to gauge the devastating impact on Bishopsgate
London Mayor contender Brian Rose has pledged to end the capital’s ‘war on cabbies’ if he is elected in Thursday's elections.
Rose, the founder of YouTube Channel London Real and the London Real Party, got behind the wheel of an iconic black cab for a taster of the problems facing the city’s 18,000 cab drivers.
Under Sadiq Khan’s reign as London Mayor, controversial road closures and bus gate schemes have caused frustration amongst those in the taxi industry. Rose’s route included the popular journey between Liverpool Street and London Bridge which is now heavily impacted by such schemes.
He said: "My journey to London Bridge took almost three times longer than would be typically expected. With more traffic expected to return to our capital’s roads in the coming weeks, travelling in our city will become a snail’s pace nightmare."
The area around Liverpool Street has been the focus of a legal battle between cabbies and Transport for London (TfL). In January, the High Court found Khan and TfL acted illegally in restricting access on the A10 in Bishopsgate, a decision TfL is expected to appeal, dragging the battle on.
The Mayor and TfL were condemned for failing to distinguish cabs from general traffic, for ignoring equality legislation – London’s cabs offer the only 100% door-to-door access service for disabled people in the world – as well as for breaching drivers’ rights and treating taxis in an ‘irrational’ way.
Judge Mrs Justice Lang found in favour of the LTDA – the largest membership body for black cab drivers – and UTAG, a coalition working to secure the future of the taxi trade.
Rose, whose exploits in a cab were captured in a slick campaign video, said: "We’ve all heard about the impacts of the current Mayor’s now declared illegal Streetspace scheme. But the reality of driving a taxi through London’s streets is hellish.
"We should be proud of this incredible, iconic service. People come to London just to take the taxis, and yet TfL doesn’t recognise them as part of the transport infrastructure.
"My day behind the wheel of a cab has been truly eye-opening for me. While we all know that black cabs are an essential part of London’s transport infrastructure, providing a lifeline to disabled passengers in particular, the Labour Mayor has continued to punish the trade with his ill thought through, cab-killing plans.
"With little to no consultation taking place with key stakeholders, the Mayor has waged war on anyone using London’s roads, all under the guise of environmental measures which in practice have increased the levels of air pollution in our city."
Rose’s guide for the day was Stewart, a black cab driver with more than ten years’ experience. He said: "Brian did pretty well, given how difficult it is to get from London Bridge to Liverpool Street these days... even if he drove a little slowly!
"It was fantastic to be able to share a taxi driver’s perspective with a politician who wants to listen and understand the impacts of some of the road network decisions being made in the city."
Rose intends to revisit every Streetspace scheme rushed through by Khan under the cover of lockdown and ensure proper consultation is undertaken with all key stakeholders –including taxi representatives. He said: "I will end Khan’s war on cabs and put cabbies back at the heart of London Transport."
UK-wide elections take place on Thursday 6 May, with Rose’s London Real Party fielding candidates in the capital’s Assembly election as well as his Mayoral bid.
