YouTube taxi driver highlights true cost through and around controversial ‘Streetspace’ network

Image credit: Tom the Taxi Driver (YouTube)

A London cabbie has created an informative video highlighting the true financial cost to cabbies and passengers, passing through or around the controversial Bishopsgate ‘Streetspace’ network in the City of London.

Tom Hutley, a London taxi driver and successful YouTuber with over 40,000 subscribers, posted his latest video showing why taxi drivers, and their passengers, are so frustrated with the banned access along a key part of the capital’s road network.

Cabbies are frustrated at a lack of access on Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate found at the heart of London’s financial district.

In the video Hutley runs two taxi journeys between London Bridge Station and Liverpool Street Station to compare prices. First the cabbie completes the journey with the controversial bus gate active between the hours of 7am-7pm which forced the taxi to divert east. On the second run, just after 7pm, the cabbie was able to reduce the cost of the ride by around 30% by driving a more direct route.

Just this week taxi industry groups have filed for permission from the Supreme Court to challenge the ‘Streetspace’ appeal ruling.

In June Transport for London (TfL) was granted its appeal against a High Court judgment led by the capital’s taxi industry over street access.

The result of the appeal related to a High Court judgment on 21 January which challenged the Mayor and TfL’s Plan, associated Guidance issued to London Boroughs and the Order concerning a specific Streetspace scheme, the A10 Bishopsgate Corridor in the City of London, removing taxi access to a key arterial route.

The appeal result was seen as a bitter blow to taxi trade bodies United Trade Action Group (UTAG) and the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) who brought the claim against TfL and also to the taxi industry as a whole.

Earlier this month a 34-page judgment was published. The three appeal justices described Mrs Justice Lang’s original ruling as “seriously flawed” and that the Bishopsgate scheme was “misconceived”.

On 20 August the trade bodies behind the legal action filed for permission to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

A Chiltern Law spokesperson said via social media: “Our application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court was filed and served yesterday. As ever, thank you to all those who contribute."