Taxi driver reps demand road access reforms in letter response to TfL’s Action Plan
- Perry Richardson
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
The United Cabbies Group (UCG) has called on Transport for London (TfL) and the London Assembly Transport Committee to take urgent steps to reinstate taxi access to key roads and infrastructure, warning that current restrictions are undermining public service delivery and harming vulnerable passengers.
In a detailed written submission to Elly Baker, Chair of the Transport Committee, the UCG expressed frustration that recent meetings on the 2025 Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan had failed to adequately cover issues around road access. The group is now urging the Committee to convene a further session to fully explore the implications of road policy on licensed taxi operations.
The UCG argues that since taxis were removed from the Mayor’s definition of public transport in 2018, boroughs and TfL have increasingly excluded them from schemes such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, restricted turns and kerbside access. The group says these restrictions disregard the distinct legal status of taxis as a compelled, wheelchair-accessible service regulated on fares and routes.
The submission highlights inconsistencies in borough access policies, delays in resolving site access problems and poor consultation processes. Specific reference is made to Chelsea Bridge, where taxis are currently prohibited from making a turn permitted for buses, despite no evidence justifying the restriction. UCG also notes that some infrastructure changes, such as the placement of cycle wands, prevent safe passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.
Concerns were also raised about TfL’s failure to differentiate between taxis and private hire vehicles in planning, policy and monitoring. The UCG emphasised that taxi drivers undergo extensive training through the Knowledge of London and provide a publicly hired, fully accessible 24/7 service. They called for taxis to be granted access to all roads available to buses and urged a consistent approach across all boroughs.
The group further criticised the lack of action following a meeting with TfL in June 2023 to discuss solutions, claiming key concerns remain unresolved. They pointed to boroughs such as Hammersmith & Fulham and Greenwich, which have adopted more inclusive approaches, as evidence that improvements are possible with the right leadership.
The UCG also addressed the ongoing obstruction of taxi ranks by private hire vehicles, delivery drivers and dockless e-bikes. They described enforcement as patchy and overly reliant on taxi drivers to report incidents, urging TfL to use its powers more effectively to maintain rank availability.
The submission closes by warning that continued restrictions disproportionately affect disabled passengers, carers and vulnerable travellers who rely on door-to-door services. UCG stressed that taxis must be included in all future road planning at an early stage and be treated on par with buses where access is concerned.
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