|
One law for them and another for us??? As I mentioned last month, the United Cabbies Group – an internet-based group - have come out in support of the bikers’ Wednesday demos that cause havoc in central London as they continue to block all roads round Trafalgar Square. The UCG claim to have evidence that private hire are being given more leniency by traffic wardens than taxis are when stopping for whatever reason in town and that by joining forces with bike riders, Westminster Council will get a taste of their own medicine. There is little doubt that some wardens are influenced by groups of PH drivers hanging around outside late-night clubs and deliberately look the other way. But is this official policy? I would find that hard to believe. However, the UCG have every right to try to influence Martin Low, Westminster Council’s Head of Transport. But there is no way I would support the bikers in any battle. No doubt they would be delighted if we joined them, but their beef is being charged £1 to park in London and they believe it should be free! To suggest that there is a similarity between the complaints of cyclists/bikers and taxi drivers is, in my view, bending arguments to suit circumstances. But I have another complaint – my beef being with the police. It was early evening on November 3 and a day when London’s traffic was gridlocked for most of the day thanks to a tube strike. Roads such as Strand westbound – slow at the best of times – were becoming virtually unusable. Then at around 5pm – incredibly – the pop-pop cyclists came out for their regular demo and that was it. Absolutely nothing moved while these selfish people – joined by normal cyclists and skaters for a fun-day out - drove round and round wearing fancy dress and blowing whistles. All that was lacking was info on why they were doing it. Was it to avoid parking costs of £1 or just because they liked the sense of power? Well I have no doubt that some are genuine, but the majority looked to me like they were just there to have fun on a day when the rest of us – especially our passengers - were suffering. Can you imagine if the public saw us behave like that on a tube strike day? But my real problem was in understanding why the police had given them permission to have the demo – which according to the cyclists the police do each and every week. Not only was it peak hour, but there was that tube strike – and the boys in blue allowed a cycle demo? Tell that to Sid Nathan (K88) who was given a Penalty Charge Notice at St Pauls because his rear wheels were touching the zigzags when a passenger decided to get out while Sid was stuck in traffic. You can read about that elsewhere in this issue. Ok, CCTV isn’t the police, but you can see the connection. Then on the following Wednesday (Nov 10), London was brought to a standstill yet |
 again when the Embankment through to Millbank was shut following the student demo at Tory HQ. Just to improve matters, Chelsea were playing at home to Fulham and with just six weeks to Christmas and it being a fine - if cold – day, London was thronging with shoppers. Nothing moved for hours, until at around 6pm when things improved from impossible to just terrible! And then guess who came along to take things back to impossible? Right first time - and apparently yet again with police permission. If you were watching Chelsea, you’d have been surprised at how many fans arrived late – with many just giving up and having a walk along Kings Road instead. I suppose some might say that as the police made a total cock-up in their assessment at the possibility of trouble for the student demo, what chance is there of them getting it right with the bikers? Even so, doesn’t it sometimes feel that there is one law for them and another for us...? Incidentally, speaking of the UCG, what a magnificent gesture to offer a free taxi shuttle service from both the Union Jack and the Victory Services Clubs to the Cenotaph on Armistice Day (14th November) because of TfL’s thoughtless decision to carry out maintenance work on the Jubilee Line on that day. As the Chairman has written more on the subject, I’ll just say to the UCG, well done! 150 not out... |
also done their bit to keep you
entertained and informed. Then there are the other trade editors. We may all be in opposition but often try to help each other out. So to Bob Fisher, Sandie Goodwin, Dave Allen, David Millward and Stuart Pessok, my thanks. Oh yes, there is one other huge vote of thanks due - to all of you out there who for many years have made this magazine’s Mailshot pages by far the most popular letters page in any trade mag. I can’t say here’s to the next 150, but I can say thanks to everyone... AGM Breaking my own rule? Alan Fisher |
