Cyclists in London say they are “incredibly disappointed” after councilors voted to allow taxi drivers to enter the formerly notoriously dangerous Bank Junction, where traffic restrictions have been in place for seven years, limiting the junction to cyclists, pedestrians and buses only.
In May 2017, the junction and its surrounding streets, which lie in the heart of the City of London, were closed to all vehicles except buses and bicycles on weekdays between 7am and 7pm as part of an experimental trial introduced to deal with increased calls. to improve the safety of the intersection following the tragic death of cyclist Ying Tao in 2015, who died in a collision with a truck driver on her way to work.
After the number of people killed or injured at the intersection fell by more than half during a trial period, along with a drop in air pollution in the area and a reduction in bus journey times of up to five minutes, the 12-hour weekday service restrictions were made permanent.
The decision was made despite vocal opposition from London’s taxi drivers – of the 12 per cent of residents who opposed the junction being virtually closed to traffic during the consultation, 79 per cent were black cab drivers.
Bank Junction before it was closed to traffic other than buses and cyclists
According to a recent review of the junction, carried out on behalf of the City of London, the restrictions have reduced the number of fatalities in the area to “virtually zero” over the past seven years, with just one collision in the past 11 months. until November 2023.
However, despite the scheme’s clear success in terms of road safety, City of London councilors voted on Thursday afternoon to allow taxis to enter Bank Junction on a trial basis, pending approval from Transport for London.
If given the green light by Transport for London, the change, voted by the City Corporation’s Court of Common Council, is expected to come into effect for 18 months from spring 2025 and allow taxi drivers to access the junction between 7am and 7pm. from Monday to Friday next to buses, cyclists and pedestrians. Meanwhile, private car drivers will not be able to use the intersection between these times.
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Before the vote, plans to lift the restrictions were opposed by the London Cycling Campaign, which argued that the current situation offered safety, environmental and economic benefits for the area, along with – notably – finance and media giant Bloomberg, whose European headquarters are located next to the junction.
“As a major employer in the area, our priority is the safety and well-being of our employees, visitors and the local community,” Bloomberg said in a statement earlier this week.
“That’s why we support the current restrictions that improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions, and we don’t want these changes to be reversed.
“We are continuing to review our own operations affecting traffic in the area, such as the frequency and consolidation of our deliveries to the building, and are encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles and public transport where possible.”
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Yet in today’s vote, 57 percent of councilors voted to reopen the intersection to taxi drivers, while 21 percent supported the plan to keep the restrictions as they are.
“The overall program of work at Bank Junction has meant that the junction is already a safer and more pleasant environment for travel and we will be closely monitoring the impact of reintroducing taxis to this vibrant area,” Shravan Joshi, chairman of the city council. London Corporation’s Planning and Transport Committee said in a statement.
“For those who cannot use active travel modes or need transport when public services are not available, black cabs have the potential to enhance this public space in line with our Destination City policy to make the Square Mile a desirable, safe and inclusive visitor destination that promotes economic growth.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, Paul Brennan, told the BBC after the vote that “common sense prevailed” and that lifting the restrictions was “an important step to ensure the City of London is open and accessible”. “.
“We are confident that once implemented this trial will demonstrate the importance of taxi access and benefit the immediate area and the wider Square Mile,” Brennan said.
However, Simon Munk of the London Cycling Campaign said he was “incredibly disappointed by the decision”.
“This is contrary to the city’s own transport strategy and the City Plan 2040,” he said.
“It is likely that if this trial goes ahead in 2025, there will be increased road hazards for those walking and cycling, bus delays and fewer people walking, sitting and snacking at the bank – and wall taxis instead.”