This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-29345675

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
London taxi protest near Westminster over Uber app London taxi protest near Westminster
(about 17 hours later)
Taxi drivers have staged a protest in central London over competition in the capital, which they claim has been a disaster for trade. Taxi drivers have staged a protest bringing traffic chaos to some parts of central London.
Drivers are angry about what they regard as a lack of regulation including of apps such as Uber. The cabbies were demonstrating over issues including regulation, rickshaws, the cycling super highway and smartphone apps - all of which they say threaten their livelihoods.
The app works out the cost of journeys and cab drivers say it is the same as using a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use. Police closed Westminster Bridge Road southbound to Parliament Square while some bus routes were diverted.
Transport for London said the protest was "regrettable".Transport for London said the protest was "regrettable".
'Unnecessary disruption'
More than 1,000 cab drivers were expected at the demonstration from 14:00 BST, which lasted until about 16:00 BST and caused traffic disruption around Trafalgar Square and Westminster.More than 1,000 cab drivers were expected at the demonstration from 14:00 BST, which lasted until about 16:00 BST and caused traffic disruption around Trafalgar Square and Westminster.
Police closed Westminster Bridge Road southbound to Parliament Square while some bus routes were diverted.Police closed Westminster Bridge Road southbound to Parliament Square while some bus routes were diverted.
'Unnecessary disruption'
Peter Kavanagh, of the Unite union, criticised London mayor Boris Johnson.Peter Kavanagh, of the Unite union, criticised London mayor Boris Johnson.
"From failing to tackle the increasingly hazardous rickshaw brigade, to shrugging his shoulders and allowing the Uber app, which doesn't take bookings or even pay tax in this country.... the mayor has shown his true colours," he said."From failing to tackle the increasingly hazardous rickshaw brigade, to shrugging his shoulders and allowing the Uber app, which doesn't take bookings or even pay tax in this country.... the mayor has shown his true colours," he said.
A similar protest was staged in June.
Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director for surface transport, urged the taxi trade to communicate their concerns directly.Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director for surface transport, urged the taxi trade to communicate their concerns directly.
He said: "It is regrettable that a number of taxi drivers - whose job it is to help keep this city moving - plan to cause unnecessary disruption to other road users."He said: "It is regrettable that a number of taxi drivers - whose job it is to help keep this city moving - plan to cause unnecessary disruption to other road users."
One of the financial backers of Uber, David Bonderman, said governments should stay out of the way.
"Uber doesn't need government help particularly, but it doesn't need government interference," he said.
Mr Bonderman - a founding partner of TPG Capital, which backs San Francisco-based Uber - was speaking during a private equity conference in the US.