TAXI ACCESS: Assembly Member asks London Mayor whether he would follow successful traffic schemes

Image credit: LEVC

London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon has asked the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, whether he would work with London Councils and Transport for London (TfL) to allow all London taxis access to all streets and roads in the city.

Her call comes after she highlighted how London boroughs that have allowed taxi access to local traffic schemes have seen no adverse effects, whilst also improving accessibility.

In response, the Mayor of London said that the design of each traffic scheme needs to take account of specific infrastructure features, people movements, and traffic demand in a particular location. He emphasised that all aspects of road user access, including taxi access, are carefully considered in the context of the outcomes intended for each scheme.

Pidgeon's call for greater access for taxis in London follows a wider debate over how to balance accessibility and environmental concerns in the city's transportation and mobility planning. As the city continues to evolve, policymakers and regulators must navigate these competing pressures to ensure that London remains a world-class city for all its residents and visitors.

Pidgeon asked the Mayor if he would work with London Councils and TfL to allow London’s taxis access to all streets and roads.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “The design of each traffic scheme needs to take account of the specific infrastructure features, people movements and traffic demand in a particular location. All aspects of road user access, including taxi access, are carefully considered in the context of the outcomes intended for each scheme.

“In delivering schemes, Transport for London (TfL) complies with the Public Sector Equality Duty, and Equality Impact Assessments are undertaken and meaningfully taken into account for schemes as appropriate. Where funding is allocated to boroughs for delivery, published guidance sets out requirements for projects, including highlighting boroughs’ own duty to comply with the Equality Act 2010. These statutory responsibilities rest with the boroughs on their projects, but TfL continues to work with partners to share updated best practice and guidance where applicable.”