Bitter blow for taxi industry as Appeal Court grants TfL Streetspace appeal

Transport for London (TfL) has been granted its appeal against a High Court judgment led by the capital’s taxi industry over street access.

The result of today’s appeal relates to a High Court judgment on 21 January which challenged the Mayor and TfL’s Plan, associated Guidance issued to London Boroughs and the Order concerning a specific Streetspace scheme, the A10 Bishopsgate Corridor in the City of London, removing taxi access to a key arterial route.

The Court ordered that the Streetspace Plan, Interim Guidance to Boroughs and the A10 Bishopsgate Traffic Order be quashed, however TfL were handed the right to appeal the decision, which they won today.

Today’s appeal result is a bitter blow to taxi trade bodies United Trade Action Group (UTAG) and the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) who brought the claim against TfL and also to the taxi industry as a whole.

A spokesperson from UTAG said: “The Appeal Court has today granted TfLs appeal against Mrs J Lang’s substantive judgement.

“We will be meeting our legal team in chambers next week as to what our next move will be.”

The Court of Appeal’s written judgment is yet to be seen, but UTAG, LTDA and legal representatives are set to consult over the chances of overturning this decision at the Supreme Court.

Sadiq Khan commented on today's result: “This decision from the Court of Appeal on the Bishopsgate scheme is a vindication of our policies. Our world-leading Streetspace schemes are helping protect the health of Londoners, and this decision reinforces my determination to make it safer and easier for Londoners to walk and cycle, and to help ensure a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

“The Judges’ decision today, along with the vote from Londoners on May 6th, is a double mandate allowing us to continue with our bold measures. Our changes to Bishopsgate make it safer for people walking and cycling.

“This central London scheme is the centrepiece of the work we have done across the capital during my first term. Recent data from TfL demonstrates its success, with 700 bikes per hour on average passing through the area at peak times – more than 11 bikes per minute.

“Bishopsgate has long suffered with a poor safety record and slow bus speeds, and the temporary changes enable safer journeys by improving the flow of traffic and reducing the danger for vulnerable road users. I hope councils will work with me to ensure we have a green recovery across our city, delivering policies that address the air quality and climate change crisis.”