In a recent
Dial-a-Cab data terminal poll, an overwhelming 86% of drivers voted against John
Prescott’s on-off-on plans to pedestrianise both Trafalgar and Parliament Square.
Call Sign investigated drivers’ opinions to find out why there was such a negative
reaction to the proposal.
Most drivers responded with fears for traffic chaos, predicting
pedestrianisation will cause grid-lock.
As Trevor Peacock (C21) pointed out, most cabs probably pass through
Trafalgar Square between ten and twenty times a day ferrying passengers to and from all
directions of the capital. All these journeys would have to be re-routed, in turn bringing
increased fares for passengers wishing to travel across town - if they succeed in finding
a cab willing to take that route at all!
Craig Forrest, (L36), predicts that most radio drivers would be
reluctant to accept a job that meant travelling through this area, especially at peak
times. "The pedestrianisation would have a dramatic effect on the taxi trade’s
ability to function correctly," agreed Darryl Cox (T33), whose fears spread
for cabbies and London in general if Mr Prescott’s plans were to ever go ahead.
Mike Holleyoake (M6), is worried that London’s role as a major
business and finance centre in Europe is being over-looked. "A large part of our
workload is moving business people around the City. To go ahead with the plans would make
this aspect of our work impossible. These business people provide much more of the
capital’s wealth than tourism," he said. "Their interests should not be
forgotten about."
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
PEDESTRIANISATION - DAC
DRIVERS POLL RESULTS
Interesting points were raised by the minority who agreed with John Prescott’s proposal. Stanley Frankel (K46) contradicted views that traffic flow would be hampered, pointing out that since road closures have been affected across the City of London, traffic has flowed much better. Further, the pedestrianisation of Leicester Square has made no difference to traffic levels.
Also interestingly, a few drivers such as K. Ryall (E03) and Max Arnold (D66) considered the best course of action to be banning all private cars from the centre of London. "The only way to make traffic improvements beneficial to Londoners and tourists alike is for the Government to have the courage to stop private cars coming into the centre of London, especially between the hours of 8am - 6pm," said Mr Ryall.
As always, if YOU have an opinion that you would like to share with Call sign readers, please send it in.
