Mayor of London says ‘no plans’ to review taxi exclusion through Bishopsgate despite concerns raised

The Mayor of London has reiterated there are ‘no plans’ to review taxi exclusion through Bishopsgate despite concerns raised by taxi drivers, disability groups and City of London councillors.

London Assembly Member, Caroline Pidgeon, asked the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, whether he would review the exclusion of taxi drivers from using Bishopsgate.

According to the Mayor, the Transport for London (TfL) experimental scheme, which was recently made permanent, has been deemed to ‘demonstrate very positive benefits’ in terms of improved safety, increased cycling numbers, and reduced bus journey time.

Despite the concerns raised by taxi drivers, Mayor Khan has announced that there are ‘no plans’ to allow taxis access through the bus and cycle-only gates along the Bishopsgate corridor.

Taxi drivers have long reiterated their displeasure with the decision, arguing that the restrictions between 7am and 7pm on weekdays affects their ability to efficiently serve passengers in the area. They have expressed concerns about the inconvenience caused to passengers, especially those with added mobility requirements, who rely on taxis for their travel needs.

Khan said: “Taxis, along with all motor vehicles, are permitted access to the majority of the Bishopsgate corridor, with only two short sections restricted between 7am and 7pm. Transport for London’s (TfL) recently-conducted experimental scheme, which has now been retained on a permanent basis, has demonstrated very positive benefits. This includes an improvement in safety, an increase in the number of people cycling and lower bus journey times, which have been achieved by reducing through-traffic on the corridor.

“TfL keeps its road network under ongoing review, but there are currently no plans to make changes to allow taxis access through the bus and cycle only gates located along the Bishopsgate corridor.”

This month the National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) took a stand against the diminishing accessibility for black cabs in certain areas of London like Bishopsgate.

In a video shared on social media, Sarah Leadbetter, a registered blind individual who relies on her guide dog, highlighted the importance of black cabs in the city for those with disabilities.

This month has also seen the call for fresh evidence from the travelling public with the aim to grant licensed Hackney Carriages unrestricted access across Bank Junction and other currently restricted streets like Bishopsgate in the City of London.

There are rising concerns that taxi drivers are no longer servicing the City of London due to the number of restricted roads throughout the district.