The preferred entry and exit routes for black cabs at Bank have been agreed following a decision earlier this year to reintroduce the vehicles back into the notorious junction. City of London Corporation members earlier today (November 19) voted to allow taxis to drive in and out of Bank via Cornhill and Poultry during the currently restricted hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday.
The approved option will now go forward for further traffic modelling. It is hoped the trial of allowing taxis back into Bank Junction will commence next spring.
The Corporation agreed in June to fully reopen the junction to taxis for the first time since mid-2017. Restrictions were introduced at that time due to Bank having the unenviable status as the most dangerous junction in the Square Mile. Two years prior 26-year-old Ying Tao had died after being crushed by an HGV while riding to work.
Corporation officers had recommended retaining the existing restrictions which limit Bank Junction to pedestrians, buses and cyclists between 7am and 7pm on weekdays. Members at the Court of Common Council however voted 57 to 21 to trial the reintroduction of taxis, with proponents for the scheme arguing it would improve access for those with mobility issues.
At the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting earlier today, members were presented with papers detailing five options for taxis to travel in and out of Bank Junction. Officers recommended against proposals which involved turning movements due to safety concerns. Instead, they suggested opting for entry and exit via Poultry and Cornhill only, due to it posing the lowest risk.
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Officers added early discussions with Transport for London (TfL), which must also approve any proposed changes to the junction, indicate this route is broadly supported. A series of general risks associated with all options were listed in the report, including potential increases to bus times and uncertainty around impacts further away from the junction.
The recommended route, referred to as ‘Option B’, drew support from several members for its simplicity and safety compared to the other proposals. Deputy Shravan Joshi, Chair of the separate Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “I think from a communications and a clarity and a safety perspective Option B to me gives the best logical solution for what the Court has asked for.”
Deputy Marianne Fredericks however proposed that taxis instead journey from Princes Street into Cornhill for those going west to east and Cornhill to Poultry when travelling east to west. She argued this would only add in one new route due to the existing access to Cornhill via Princes Street. “I’m keen to ensure that we reduce the number of options as far as possible to keep it as safe as possible,” she told the committee.
Members however voted against Deputy Frederick’s motion in part due to her proposal not having been modelled by officers. Some discomfort with the Court’s original decision to reintroduce taxis to Bank Junction was aired by Deputy Fredericks and Common Councillor Mary Durcan.
Common Councillor Eamonn Mullally also put to the committee they do have the option of rejecting all of the proposals before them, and so indicate to the wider Corporation it is not appropriate to allow cabs to use the crossing during restricted hours. When put to a vote Option B was approved, with Deputy Fredericks and Cllr Mullally the only two against.
The paper which went to the committee noted there is a risk the trial will not begin in spring 2025 as planned due to potential delays following the cyber attack on TfL. The next steps involved further engaging with TfL, liaising with taxi trade representatives and preparing the proposed traffic model to submit to the transport body. There will also be a six-month public consultation once the trial has begun.
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