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News Desk In what is being described as a first act of anger at the growing problem of illegal mini-cab ranks in central London, thousands of black cab drivers blocked main arterial routes of the capital in a show of strength.
Numbering in excess of thousands, some estimate the turnout to be the largest of its kind, black cab drivers in an orchestrated fashion left their iconic black cabs outside of Buckingham Palace, along the Mall, Whitehall, Hyde Park Corner and even upto Leicester Square and beyond.
One driver who spoke to the London Daily News said:
"My badge means something I spent 3 years doing the knowledge I am not going to let TfL or Westminster setup illegal cab ranks in central London".
John Kennedy a London Daily News columnist and BBC London contributor said:
"TfL and Westminster want illegal cab ranks then this one today stretching from the Mall all the way up past Trafalgar Square is a proper one."
In what signaled a show of unity amongst a traditionally fractious frateternity the various black cab organisations and trade unions joined together in a first salvo in what is being described as a long protracted campaign against TfL, PCO and Westminster council.
Concerning for Mayor Johnson is the simmering sign of resentment amongst cab drivers who voted strongly for the Conservative mayor. One driver said:
"Boris is our mayor and we want him to wake to the complacency at TfL and City Hall. We can do these drive in's every single week if we have to."
The protests on this scale are the first to hit the capital with other parts of the nation being gripped by wild cat disputes. Leaders of the various political groupings in London are concerned that the demonstration today by the black cabbies will provoke other disgruntled workers in London into protests and strikes.
The images of the black cab drive-in have been broadcast around the world, with many international news organisations linking the poor response to the snow and this demo. photo credit: London Daily News
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