The ‘All Change at Bank’ needs one ‘subtle change’... the inclusion of licensed taxis, says LTDA
The City of London’s ‘All Change at Bank’ project needs just one ‘subtle change’ to work according to taxi industry reps; that’s taxi access.
Last month the City of London Corporation (COLC) launched its new ‘All Change at Bank’ project, which aims to close further roads around Bank Junction and the Square Mile.
The All Change at Bank project follows the controversial ‘Bank on Safety’ scheme made permanent in September 2018, which restricted wheelchair accessible black cabs and other traffic through Bank Junction.
The project is said to be aligned with the programme for Transport for London (TfL) to increase passenger capacity at Bank Station, which is due to complete by the end of 2022.
In questions 21 and 22 of the survey, COLC asks for feedback about the mix of traffic using the junction, along with a question asking what vehicles should be added to the mix including an option for licensed taxis.
According to the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), parts of the proposals put forward by COLC could be supported by the taxi industry, but taxi access must be included to gather the support of the industry.
Paul Brennan, LTDA Chairman, wrote in TAXI Newspaper: “Anyone that has walked the pavements on either corner of Princes Street will know there is an issue and whilst it doesn’t affect us directly, it does impact our potential passengers.
“We should be mindful that with the opening of a bigger and better Bank Station the problem will not go away. A solution is needed – I’d even go as far as to say that portions of the plans published could help do the job. They just need a very, very subtle change. That’s to include London’s licensed taxis. Then we would support the scheme. Without that change, we will fight it at every level, with all the means at our disposal.”
The LTDA Chairman also questioned why cyclists should continue to have access in a newly planned pedestrianised Threadneedle Street.
Brennan continued: “I’ve spoken to a few workers within the City about the plans and there is some support for the scheme when it comes to the pavement at Threadneedle Street.
“However, all were amazed that cyclists will still have access. They believed this should not be the case, as they see them as one of the most dangerous road users
at this current time and believe if any form of vehicle should be segregated from vulnerable pedestrians, it’s cyclists."
