Tottenham Court Road taxi protest: Black cabs block road for second day sparking anger and suggestions action has backfired

Cabs blocked the row for the second day running on Tuesday
@FeargusOSull
Jacob Jarvis22 January 2019

A black cab protest on Tottenham Court Road has angered commuters inconvenienced by the blockade while some said the action damages the taxi drivers’ cause.

It is the second day cabbies brought the busy area to a standstill in protest over plans to restrict daytime access to the route as part of a £35 million project.

In response a week-long demonstration has been called by the Independent Taxi Alliance (ITA) against the proposals.

On Tuesday evening people spoke of “chaos” in the area, some called for punishment for those taking part and another described it as "eerie".

One disgruntled person said they thought the drivers even deserved “points on their licences” due to the situation.

An ambulance was even held up amid the delays, an onlooker claimed, while Transport for London warned of congestion around the diversion routes.

Footage also emerged of one man debating the issue with a taxi driver, before leaving as the disagreement became more animated.

Black cabs parked along Tottenham Court Road on Monday
Twitter/DannyBoy

Some people responded more positively to the protestors though, with a staff member from a nearby shop taking tea to some of those involved.

However, it was suggested by others the protest may have backfired to an extent.

One person, writing on Twitter, said: “All the black cab protest on Tottenham Court Road has done is highlight how nice it is to be able to cross at any time.”

While another wrote: “Passed Tottenham Court Road with the black cab protests and it’s so peaceful. Close the road off to vehicles all together.”

Only buses and bikes will be allowed on Tottenham Court Road from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 7pm, when it is converted from one-way to two-way traffic from March.

Camden Council says the changes will improve road safety and air quality, which it feels will lead to a change in fortunes for an “unloved” street.

Drivers who breach the restrictions face a £130 fine.

In a statement on Monday, the ITA called on the council to lift the restriction on cabs and said: “The local authority could reasonably conclude that taxi access to bus lanes is liable to enhance the efficiency of the London road transport system”.

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