Mayor of London to face fresh scrutiny over black cab turning circle comments as London Assembly questions apparent taxi policy U-turn
- Perry Richardson
- 25 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is set to face renewed questions over the future of London’s iconic black cab turning circle requirement after appearing to shift his position on one of the trade’s defining vehicle standards.
Asa part of this month’s Mayor’s Question Time, London Assembly Member Alex Wilson will ask the Mayor to explain why he is now publicly questioning the necessity of the turning circle requirement after previously stating there were no plans to remove it.
Wilson’s first written question points directly to what he describes as a change in the Mayor’s position. It references the Mayor’s response to an Assembly question in February last year, when Khan said: “There are no plans to remove the existing turning circle requirement for taxis.”
However, during a London Assembly session in June this year, Khan adopted a notably different tone while discussing ways to reduce the cost of London’s purpose-built taxis.
Speaking during that meeting, the Mayor said: “It is a question I am asking. Is this requirement for the turning [circle] to be the way it is really necessary in 2026?”
Wilson has now asked: “What changed?”
The questioning follows comments made by Khan while discussing concerns over the future of London’s licensed taxi trade. The Mayor acknowledged rising costs associated with entering the profession and revealed he had recently spoken with Steve McNamara about measures to improve affordability.
Khan told Assembly Members: “I am really worried about the future of black taxis.”
He added: “One of the things we are trying to do is bring down the cost of these black taxis. It is a conversation I had recently with Steve McNamara from the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association in relation to what we can do to help. The Deputy Mayor is looking into what we can do to help.”
The Mayor went on to question whether the capital’s long-established turning circle specification continues to justify the additional engineering costs associated with designing vehicles to meet the standard.
London’s Conditions of Fitness require licensed taxis to achieve an exceptionally tight turning circle, a specification originally introduced to allow cabs to negotiate confined locations such as the entrance to the Savoy Hotel and narrow streets across the capital. The requirement has remained one of the defining characteristics separating London’s purpose-built taxis from conventional passenger vehicles.
Khan suggested the specification may now be limiting competition within the market by effectively restricting the number of manufacturers capable of producing compliant vehicles.
He said: “Bear in mind the cost means it is one supplier, and the cars are so expensive.”
The Mayor also questioned whether prospective drivers would be prepared to make the financial commitment required to purchase a new licensed taxi under current market conditions.
His remarks prompted speculation that City Hall could eventually review one of the capital’s most recognisable taxi standards, although no formal consultation or policy proposal has yet been announced.
Wilson’s second question also focuses on policy direction. He notes that the Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025, published in March last year, made no reference to reviewing the turning circle requirement despite the Mayor’s more recent comments.
He has therefore asked when Londoners and the taxi trade can expect a revised action plan reflecting the Mayor’s apparent willingness to reconsider the vehicle specification.
