Boris Johnson has swept behind the black taxi brigade with a swathe of pledges for London's second artery.

He plans to scrap the twice yearly black-cab inspections, crack down on illegal taxi rings, abolishing penalties when stopping for passengers going to cash points, open up bus lanes and bring a member of the industry onto the Transport for London board.

Inspections

The twice yearly inspection of black-cabs was one of the London Taxi Drivers Associations' biggest grievances. Announcing a consultation on cutting the tests, Johnson called them an "unnecessary burden" for drivers and owners and that only those who failed their standards tests would pay for further examinations.

The majority of drivers and owners, he said, were being "penalised". In contrast to the confrontational and "comply" regime of former Mayor Ken Livingstone, Boris said:

"It is essential that we support and work with London's cabbies, which are the best in the world, rather than tying them up with red tape."

Bus lanes

At present only some bus routes, mainly in central London can be also be used by taxi drivers, Johnson has vowed to work with council's to hammer out a deal normalising the practice across the city.

The mayor made the announcements at a meeting with LTDA members and their general secretary, Bill Oddy.