PADDINGTON POP-UP TAXI RANK: Praed Street enforcement escalates as PCN volumes reach triple figures for cabbies
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 20
- 1 min read
Taxi drivers operating around Praed Street and Craven Road are facing a sharp rise in enforcement action, with penalty charge notices now being issued in “treble figures”, according to the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA).
In a fresh warning issued, the LTDA urged drivers to avoid the area altogether, stating that the risk of receiving an £80 fine is no longer justified given the scale of enforcement activity now underway.
The update follows earlier confirmation that Westminster City Council and Transport for London (TfL) had moved to a zero-tolerance approach on illegal ranking along Praed Street, a location that has become an informal ‘pop-up rank’ for drivers serving Paddington Station.
Authorities have already removed previous grace periods, with enforcement officers now issuing PCNs immediately to vehicles found waiting unlawfully. Notices can also be issued by post, increasing the likelihood of drivers being penalised even if they leave the location quickly.
LTDA warns drivers fines are mounting rapidly at Paddington hotspot as crackdown intensifies
The LTDA’s latest message indicates that enforcement is not only continuing but accelerating, with a significant increase in the number of fines being processed. The warning highlights Praed Street and nearby Craven Road as key focus areas for compliance teams dishing out PCNs to cabbies forming their own rank.
The enforcement highlights the growing pressure being placed on unofficial ‘pop-up’ ranks across central London, where demand near major transport hubs often conflicts with road restrictions and local traffic management priorities.
Drivers have again been advised to use authorised taxi ranks and avoid stopping or waiting in restricted zones, as enforcement activity in the Paddington area shows no sign of easing.
