GIVE US ACCESS: Private hire drivers ask for similar road access to taxis after ‘Streetspace’ ruling

Private hire driver unions have called for access to now be granted to them too following the licensed taxis successful ruling quashing the Mayor of London’s and Transport for London‘s (TfL) ‘Streetspace’ plans.

The comments come following yesterday’s High Court ruling that the Mayor’s and TfL’s ‘Streetspace for London Plan’, including the Bishopsgate changes, were 'unlawful'.

The judge found that the needs of disabled Londoners were “not considered", and described parts of the EQIA as “perfunctory or non-existent”.

The landmark judgement follows a judicial review mounted by the London taxi trade, challenging the Mayor and TfL’s Plan, associated Guidance issued to London Boroughs and the Order concerning a specific Streetspace scheme, the A10 Bishopsgate Corridor in the City of London, which removed taxi access to a key arterial route.

The Court has now ordered that the Streetspace Plan, Interim Guidance to Boroughs and the A10 Bishopsgate Traffic Order be quashed, following the judgement.

Despite fully wheelchair accessible licensed taxis being ruled as public transport, privately booked minicab drivers are now calling for the same level of access in the future.

Currently in London there are over 107,000 private hire drivers licensed working for operators that include Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee.

In comparison there are only 21,000 licensed taxi drivers in the capital.

A spokesperson from the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) said: “Congratulations to UTAG & LTDA on an impressive victory over TfL to regain the right to access Bishopsgate.

“TfL must immediately provide access to licensed private hire vehicles also.”

The sentiment was also echoed by professional drivers union GMB who wrote: “Fantastic News, now we have to fight for similar recognition within the Private Hire Trade.”