The tight squeeze on Jackson’s Lane: Dash cam footage shows why even London taxi drivers are steering clear
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dash cam footage shared by a London taxi driver has once again brought attention to one of the capital’s most challenging routes for professional drivers. The clip, filmed while attempting to navigate Jackson’s Lane in Highgate, clearly showed just how tense the move is for cabbies trying to pass through.
Jackson’s Lane, a narrow stretch connecting Highgate Hill and Archway Road, has become notorious among taxi drivers for its difficult layout. The road forms a link between two major routes, but its width and layout cause headaches for those behind the wheel of a black cab needing to use the road.
In the video, the driver edges through the lane with barely millimetres to spare on either side. While it may appear to be just another tight residential road, a subtle kink and significant width restrictions make it far more demanding than most.
Many drivers actively avoid the route given its notoriously tight route. Whilst it can be done safely, previous incidents include mirror damage, door handles scuffed and body work scrapes.
The narrow passage connects Highgate Hill and Archway Road. At first glance, it doesn’t seem out of the ordinary. But a slight bend in the middle of the road means drivers must enter at a precise angle. For black cab drivers, the margin for error is minimal, particularly when driving the newer, wider LEVC TX electric taxis or the Mercedes-Benz Vito models.
The layout has long been a concern among cab drivers, who can usually handle tight width restrictions. But many now see Jackson’s Lane as more of a risk than a practical route. The combination of narrow width, an awkward bend and solid barriers on either side leaves little room for recovery if a vehicle strays off line.
