Caroline recently held an action meeting at Vauxhall Cross with local Lib Dem Cllr Rob Banks and a representative from Viva Vauxhall Residents’ Association. Representatives from Transport for London (TfL), the police and the Public Carriage Office (PCO) attended to talk about the issue of taxi touting in the area and to come up with an action plan to try to tackle this nuisance and dangerous issue.
The following actions were agreed:
- TfL will clarify police powers under the Road Traffic Act 1998 to seize motor vehicles being driven without valid insurance;
- TfL will explore the options of changing the use of the taxi parking places on South Lambeth Place to accommodate Private Hire Vehicle (licensed mini-cabs) drop off and pick up;
- PCO to advise on good practice in other areas such as in Kingston town centre to see if we can persuade Lambeth Council to adopt suitable solutions;
- TfL to establish a problem solving group to tackle taxi touting in Vauxhall. Members to include the local police safer neighbourhoods team; PCO; Metropolitan Police Service cab enforcement unit; local resident representatives; local Private Hire operators.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Lib Dem London Transport Spokesperson, said: "There are some serious concerns for local residents around illegal mini-cabs touting for business around the Vauxhall area all times of the night and day."
"These not only cause a nuisance to local residents, but also pose a potential danger to people leaving clubs who may use them. I am pleased that we have persuaded the various responsible bodies to take further action to tackle these taxi touts” added Caroline.