Angry black cab drivers caused traffic mayhem last Monday by creating a blockade across London Bridge. Picture: Georgia Saunders

Over one hundred black cab drivers brought the iconic London Bridge to a standstill on Monday in a protest against Transport For London’s plans to ban them from using a key local road at the river crossing.

The proposal plans to start from early 2019 and aims to change the layout of Tooley Street, which will make Duke Street Hill no entry from Borough High Street, apart from cyclists and buses. TFL hopes that this will reduce road danger, improve air quality and provide better facilities for people who walk and cycle.

Gavin Livermore, 35, has been a black cab driver since last year and is taking part in the demonstrations in support of his union, the London Taxi Driver Association. “We are also public transport alongside TFL, and probably the safest transport in London so we should be more than entitled to go where the buses go”, he said.

Livermore also said it is not just about their access to Tooley Street. “It is also about our disabled passengers, we are demonstrating every day from 4pm to protect them and help them get around London safely”.

He said that London Bridge has a very busy and dangerous junction outside the station, which he worries may “cause a lot more road accidents when a huge flow of people come out of the station during rush hour”.

The busy thoroughfare provides a route for many pedestrians, cyclists, cars, taxis and delivery vehicles, day and night.  But since May, the area has become noticeably busier due to the reopening of the upgraded London Bridge station, according to TFL.

The new restricted access of Tooley Street is part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS), which supports a long-term “vision” of making London’s streets healthier, safer and more welcoming. The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that the strategy aims for 80% of all trips in London to be made on foot, by cycle or using public transport by 2041.

Since TFL’s announcement, London cab driver groups such as the London Cab Drivers Club, United Cabbies Group (UCG) and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) have been expressing their dismay about the Tooley Street transformation.

The ‘Proactive ITA’ (Independent Taxi Alliance), an unofficial driver group, said that “London is being taken away from us street by street” and feel TFL is trying to disband them and are in more support of Uber drivers. The Proactive ITS will be supported by other union groups such as the London Cab Drivers Club and by leading the demonstrations, they hope to gain access in all bus lanes in the capital and highlight the public transport status of a London licensed taxi.

The United Cabbies Group have also shown their dismay last week by saying: “The United Cabbies Group see the possible banning of Taxis from Tooley Street as a restriction of trade. With this in mind we are not ruling out any demos.”