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Taxi drivers to bring London to a standstill over Uber app Taxi drivers to bring London to standstill over Uber app
(35 minutes later)
Black-cab drivers are planning to bring central London to a standstill on Wednesday in a protest over the Uber taxi hailing app, but the Metropolitan police has warned drivers that they face arrest.Black-cab drivers are planning to bring central London to a standstill on Wednesday in a protest over the Uber taxi hailing app, but the Metropolitan police has warned drivers that they face arrest.
Up to 12,000 are expected to block traffic in Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square from 2pm, but police say they have not been approached for permission.Up to 12,000 are expected to block traffic in Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square from 2pm, but police say they have not been approached for permission.
In an open letter to licensed taxi drivers the Met warned it was keen to avoid serious disruption and that, without official written notification, the protest "could give rise to criminal liability", with a risk of arrest and prosecution. In an open letter to licensed taxi drivers, the Met warned it was keen to avoid serious disruption and that, without official written notification the protest "could give rise to criminal liability", with a risk of arrest and prosecution.
Today's demo goes ahead, 2 pm T Sq/ Whitehall/P Sq. Comply with all police instructions, do not give up, do not be beaten, just head back!Today's demo goes ahead, 2 pm T Sq/ Whitehall/P Sq. Comply with all police instructions, do not give up, do not be beaten, just head back!
Uber, a San Francisco startup that was last week valued at $18bn (£11bn) in an oversubscribed fundraising, operates in London, Manchester, and more than 100 cities in 37 countries. Uber, a San Francisco startup that was last week valued at $18bn (£11bn) in an oversubscribed fundraising, operates in London, Manchester and more than 100 cities in 37 countries.
The streets of half a dozen European capitals will be jammed by strikes on Wednesday, as licensed cabbies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Milan and Lisbon join their London colleagues in demonstrating against a technology that threatens their livelihood.The streets of half a dozen European capitals will be jammed by strikes on Wednesday, as licensed cabbies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Milan and Lisbon join their London colleagues in demonstrating against a technology that threatens their livelihood.
Uber is one of a wave of new apps, which also include Hailo and Kabbee, that allows users to see the nearest registered cars and hail them from their smartphone screen. The services are particularly popular with private-hire drivers, who now have an advantage over licensed drivers. Uber is one of a wave of new apps, which also include Hailo and Kabbee, that allows users to see the nearest registered cars and hail them from their smartphone. The services are particularly popular with private-hire drivers, who now have an advantage over licensed drivers.
Responding to the strike, Uber said it was opening its app to black cabs. So far, most of its 3,000 registered drivers in London are minicabs and other private hire vehicles, such as limousines.Responding to the strike, Uber said it was opening its app to black cabs. So far, most of its 3,000 registered drivers in London are minicabs and other private hire vehicles, such as limousines.
"There's room for black cabs and private hire cars to co-exist in London," said Uber's UK general manager Jo Bertram."There's room for black cabs and private hire cars to co-exist in London," said Uber's UK general manager Jo Bertram.
She told the BBC: "We are open to discussions with black-cab drivers, unfortunately today's demonstration disadvantages Londoners and it closes down discussion."She told the BBC: "We are open to discussions with black-cab drivers, unfortunately today's demonstration disadvantages Londoners and it closes down discussion."
Met police chief superintendent, Pippa Mills, said the conditions had been imposed on the demonstration, organised by the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), because drivers had not sought permission.Met police chief superintendent, Pippa Mills, said the conditions had been imposed on the demonstration, organised by the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), because drivers had not sought permission.
She said: "We have attempted to contact those who we believed to be responsible for organising this event. We even put out a letter through our social media channels to encourage organisers to come forward but they have either ignored our approach or been misleading.She said: "We have attempted to contact those who we believed to be responsible for organising this event. We even put out a letter through our social media channels to encourage organisers to come forward but they have either ignored our approach or been misleading.
"As a consequence, and in order to prevent serious disruption to the life of the community, we have been left with no option but to impose conditions on the demonstration.""As a consequence, and in order to prevent serious disruption to the life of the community, we have been left with no option but to impose conditions on the demonstration."
The protests have been limited to Whitehall, north and southbound carriageways and Parliament Street, north and southbound carriageways. Drivers have one hour to demonstrate from 2pm, and the Met warned: "No one will be allowed to join the demonstration when the area is deemed to be congested by the tactical commander of the event."The protests have been limited to Whitehall, north and southbound carriageways and Parliament Street, north and southbound carriageways. Drivers have one hour to demonstrate from 2pm, and the Met warned: "No one will be allowed to join the demonstration when the area is deemed to be congested by the tactical commander of the event."
The LTDA urged members to go ahead with the demonstration, with a message on Twitter: "Today's demo goes ahead, 2pm T Sq/ Whitehall/P Sq. Comply with all police instructions, do not give up, do not be beaten, just head back!"The LTDA urged members to go ahead with the demonstration, with a message on Twitter: "Today's demo goes ahead, 2pm T Sq/ Whitehall/P Sq. Comply with all police instructions, do not give up, do not be beaten, just head back!"
Garrett Emmerson, Transport for London's (TfL) chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "A number of taxi drivers are set to cause pointless disruption for Londoners over a legal issue that is down to the courts to decide upon.Garrett Emmerson, Transport for London's (TfL) chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "A number of taxi drivers are set to cause pointless disruption for Londoners over a legal issue that is down to the courts to decide upon.
"TfL will work with the Metropolitan police to do all we can to keep central London moving, however, given the scale of the likely disruption, we would advise drivers to avoid the area if at all possible.""TfL will work with the Metropolitan police to do all we can to keep central London moving, however, given the scale of the likely disruption, we would advise drivers to avoid the area if at all possible."