IN THE NEWS
LONDON CABBIES IN REVOLT OVER OLYMPIC BAN
London’s 25,000 black cab drivers are plan- ning a blockade to bring the capital to a standstill over a ban on them using the 100-mile VIP road net- work during next year’s Games.
A report in the Evening Standard states that an unprecedented res- trictions to keep the lanes clear for ath- letes, media and international sports officials are also set to cause chaos for mil- lions of Londoners. Cabbies say prices will increase if the move goes ahead. Richard Massett, an executive at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, which represents 9,000 cabbies, said: “There
will be a huge problem getting people where they want to go and we will have to deal with the customers’ frustra- tion. We will be stuck in jams and for cus- tomers fares will soar.” The ban also applies to PHVs. TfL, which operates the lanes, has offered dedicated drop-off and pick-up points at the Olympic venues. But cabbies say they will be unable to reach them because of the lanes restricted to officially accredited vehicles only.
They are also at war with Olympic organis- ers over other restrictions such as bans of right-hand turns and U-turns on key routes. Three years
ago black cab drivers caused gridlock when they drove en masse to central London in a dis- pute with PHVs. The LTDA will consider the same disruptive action if their Olympic de- mands are not met. The restrictions will mean huge parts of London effectively become “no-go” areas for cabs or anyone wishing to use them. The main hotspot of the Olympic lane network will be the roads linking hotels in Park Lane to the Olympic Park. Clo- sures will affect Park Lane, Hyde Park Cor- ner, Constitution Hill, Birdcage Walk and Horse Guards. These “Olympic-only” lanes will operate typically
from 6am to midnight. Other routes will only be affected on compe- tition days. They will run from the athletes’ accommodation to venues such as Wemb- ley Arena, Earl’s Court and Wimbledon; but there will also be a wider section with major restrictions to speed up VIP traffic. The issue is potentially damaging to Boris Johnson who won over London’s cab drivers before the last mayoral election.
A public information campaign by TfL has been delayed by a month and the agency will later this year seek planing permission for a range of road restric- tions. TfL has sought to
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deflect criticism about the lack of information by blaming the Olympic Delivery Authority which recently relin- quished responsibility for the measures. A spokesman for TfL
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said: “We have held constructive talks with the LTDA, and have agreed to some con- cession not to impose restrictions which would have affected their routes.”
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