Issue 290 - TAXI Newspaper

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6 <strong>TAXI</strong> |3 APRIL 2013 www.ltda.co.uk | @TheLTDA The Massett File ROAD PLAN OUTRAGE RICHARD MASSETT LTDA Executive, Chairman London Cab Ranks Committee Crazy plans for Euston will be a red rag to drivers already furious about Stonecutter Street Taxi drivers dismayed by the closure of Stonecutter Street in the City and Crazy Camden’s closure of Warren Street, will be completely outraged by a new set of proposals issued by Transport for London. This time it is the Euston Road Circus junction on top of the Euston Underpass which will be the cause of their wrath. A new west bound contra flow lane is proposed for the slip road running between Gower Street and Tottenham Court Road, which will be for the use of buses and cycles only. As part of the proposal, traffic will be prohibited from using the Hampstead Road left turn, and amazingly, according to the consultation papers, the right turn at Euston Road/ LTDA Policy Statement It is more essential than ever for drivers to be fully appraised of the various trade organisations’ policies. In order to clarify the LTDA’s position on the important issues facing the industry, the Association reaffirms: 1. Its determination (despite opposition from certain trade organisations) to exclude taxi drivers from any form of restriction on working hours or the compulsory fitting of tachographs in cabs. 2. Its total opposition to the proposed computerised Knowledge testing system (Quickie Knowledge), which is intended to speed up and churn out new licences. 3. Its support for a regular review of taxi usage in London in order to provide effective management of the cab fleet which will prevent the streets of London being flooded with empty cabs. 4. Its support for the introduction of ‘rest ranks’ to enable drivers to legally leave their cabs unattended whilst visiting adjacent toilet facilities. 5. Its support for a complete ban on pedicabs. 6. Its insistence on meaningful consultation with Transport for London. 7. Its support for an effective minicab enforcement team, trained to eradicate illegal touting by minicab drivers. 8. Its campaign for taxi access to all bus lanes. 9. Its insistence that taxis continue to be exempt from congestion charges. 10. Its policy to recruit, support and represent licensed taxi drivers only. If you require clarification on these or other important issues, please: Call the LTDA on 020 7286 1046 Tottenham Court Road. My first thought was that this plan would only affect the first of the two right turns normally available at this junction. But, according to the consultation material, traffic on the eastbound North West sliproad will be directed to go ahead only, which would prevent vehicles from crossing over into Gower Street. The LTDA and its colleagues on the London Cab Ranks Committee have formally objected to the proposed traffic orders. In the case of Gower Street, it will cut off access to University College Hospital and increase journey times and fares for passengers on many other routes. With regard to the Hampstead Road restriction, we have objected because vehicles POLICY would be forced to use roads that are less suitable for traffic. We have also argued that taxis should have access to the contra flow bus lane. I would not be at all surprised if it turns out that the Gower Street plan is some sort of mistake. If not, I would have to wonder what on earth is going on at TfL, if it is going to come up with such a ludicrous traffic scheme. “THE LTDA AND ITS COLLEAGUES HAVE FORMALLY OBJECTED TO THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC ORDERS ” Having said that, I have been wondering what’s going on a lot lately, especially since the Mayor became hell bent on spending ridiculous amounts of taxpayers’ money on cycle schemes. Extending the cycle superhighway scheme from Bow Roundabout to Stratford is said to be costing £4.7M, which may be fine for the cyclists who will use it but the scheme will also increase journey times for other traffic. The scheme will have an overall negative effect and would normally have been ruled out. This can be said for the other costly cycle schemes which are in the No left turn No right turn The LTDA wants taxi access to contra flow lane pipeline, so what on earth is going on at TfL? Hammersmith Broadway The rank outside Hammersmith station has had to be suspended for six weeks due to a collapsed BT chamber under the road surface just in front of it. A temporary rank will be provided in Queen Caroline Street in the nearside lane, starting at the stop line of the traffic lights just around the corner from the station. The nearside lane will be coned off from other traffic to provide a rank for four cabs. Unfortunately, as we went to press there was a very late objection from Streets London Traffic Control Centre (SLTCC) which said that the rank will interfere with their traffic detection system. So as I write, we are still trying to get the temporary rank established. If this fails, we will look to site it elsewhere. Oxford Street Emergency work is being carried out on Oxford Street to repair a leak which is affecting the underground. The works are due to last for six weeks and will take place at night between 11pm-6am, when there will be a single width carriageway in both directions on Oxford Street. The stretch will be fully closed for at least one weekend, when eastbound traffic will be diverted via Park Lane and Park Street. n New Westbound bus lane
More readers than the rest put together! 3 APRIL 2013 | <strong>TAXI</strong> 7 NEWS Victor was set upon by hooded thugs Shotgun robbery terror Image: Ljupco Smokovski / Shutterstock.com Crime A taxi driver fought with armed robbers who demanded cash and threatened to shoot him with a sawn off shotgun. Victor Patient, of Chelmsford, was lured to a council block and then set upon by hooded thugs who demanded cash and other valuables. The 68-year-old attempted to escape the estate in Westbourne Park by starting the cab but the robbers grabbed the keys from the ignition. Victor said: “We had a bit of a tumble. It was a very shaky night but I’m getting over it now. They were saying ‘we are going to shoot you.’ You keep looking over at the gun and thinking ‘what shall I do?’” The cabbie picked up a fare in Warwick Road in the early hours of Thursday, March 21. During the journey the young man in the back took a phone call and redirected the taxi to Westbourne Park and a block of flats close to the Cow public house in Westbourne Park Road. Two other men, wearing hoods and armed with a shotgun emerged from the flats and demanded cash. “I was trying to start the cab to get away,” Victor said, “they took the keys and £30 or £40 which is a pittance considering what they went through and what they could have got if they managed to get my bag. “I called the police and they came down, loads of them, armed officers, dog teams, the lot. I haven’t heard any more from them yet but I hope they are going to get some CCTV of the guy I picked up in Warwick Road. “The pick-up was there just to set it up, he was talking to them on the phone and they were telling him what to do and where to go. It wasn’t a good night. I won’t be going back to that estate again.” The police have impounded the cab for forensic examination and studying CCTV footage. Krav Maga-nificent 0207 446 7678 Classes LTDA members looking to get fit and who want some extra piece of mind should look no further than our free self-defence classes. Hundreds of drivers have taken the opportunity to sign up for the Krav Maga course, which has been hailed as ‘life changing.’ The skill was developed by the Israeli army and uses blocking, grappling and wrestling style moves to fend off attackers. Taxi driver and instructor Ricky Manetta puts drivers through their paces at the Orwell Centre in Wapping on Monday afternoons and the next course starts on April 29. He says: “I want to give people the confidence so they can choose not to fight; that’s what the course is about” If you’re an LTDA member and can commit to an eight week course on Monday afternoons between 2-3.30pm, then call the LTDA on 02071210501. GET FIT FOR FREE! [ ] LEARN KRAV MAGA
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Issue 290 - TAXI Newspaper

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