Addison Lee drivers told to defy bus lane law (and to just say SMIDSY)

Ok, so because a B&Q style concrete and aluminium warehouse can do the job just as well we can feel free to demolish St Paul's Cathedral and replace it with a soulless box?

The Shard has already done half that job to the St Paul's skyline..

Has it? No.

Because London will lose a little bit more of its character and identity when there are no more proper London taxis, just as it did when the Routemasters went from regular service, and just as NYC did when the Checkers got replaced by regular tin. LTI recognised this, which is why the TX4 went back to looking more like the FX4 after the TX1 moved away from that style.

A company that fits a few electrical and mechanical components is a world away from the skilled business of manufacturing an entire vehicle from scratch. LTI are a strong monopoly because nobody chooses to build a competing cab. Reliant did with the Metrocab for years, but since then nobody does. You could easily improve upon the TX4, but tweaking a van is not the way to do it.

Years ago there was a proposal to licence the Nissan Prairie as a London cab. Jeremy Clarkson, back when he was an actual journalist, memorably complained about it with the words "When, as a small boy, I first went in a London taxi I was so excited I almost wet myself. When, as an adult I first went in a Nissan Prairie I was nearly sick."

I like the idea and look of black cabs, but I don't think the design is quite there with the new ones. Sort of looks bloated version of the original, reminds me of this:

...then they're not great when it comes to air quality, noise (inside or out), the interior is pretty ropey and bus-like...

St Pauls cathedral is the fourth ecclesiastical building to occupy that site, the two prior to the Christopher Wren masterpiece were destroyed by fire, to large public outcry and much hand wringing, when it was first commissioned the Wren building was met by a mixed reception. The same is true of the Palace of Westminster, in fact when that was completed it was the Victoria Tower not the Clock Tower that was considered the architectural masterpiece obviously popular focus has now shifted considerably.

London is an exciting dynamic place that has continually changed and evolved throughout its history as has the public perception of its character and landmarks, to try and make it conform to some rose tinted perception of what it should be stifles the very essence of what makes London so great and to call people who disagree with you soulless is just insulting.

London is an exciting dynamic place that has continually changed and evolved throughout its history as has the public perception of its character and landmarks.

nicely put, we shouldn't be defining a city base on it's choice of vehicles.

New York is still an amazing place to go to even if they rid all the old cab with sensible people carrier.

I would never use a minicab. Crooks, the lot of 'em.

Has it? No.

One of my favourite views of London was St Pauls in the sunrise riding down Farringdon Lane.

This view is now fucked due to that huge building.

I would never use a minicab. Crooks, the lot of 'em.

How? You arrange the pickup and destination, arrange a price and that's that. Stop taking unlicensed cabs.. though they might bum you for free.

One of my favourite views of London was St Pauls in the sunrise riding down Farringdon Lane.

This view is now fucked due to that huge building.

Where were the daylight surveyors when we needed them?

Driving MGs around the countryside.

One of my favourite views of London was St Pauls in the sunrise riding down Farringdon Lane.

This view is now fucked due to that huge building.

To the best of my knowledge the view to St Paul's is protected from all points, from as far afield as Richmond and Greenwich. Plenty buildings have been refused planning permission as they'd impede these ancient laws, so I'm surprised a view in the centre of town doesn't enjoy equal rights.

I guess that depends on what they considered to be a good view. Anyway, money talks when it comes to laws...

I understand it to mean absolutely unimpeded. I will write to Boris Livingstone.

You mean Ken Boristone?

Yes, him with the funny hair and iffy personal finances.

One of my favourite views of London was St Pauls in the sunrise riding down Farringdon Lane.

This view is now fucked due to that huge building.

Speaking of such, is there's a reason to why London is getting more skyscraper? seemed to be building quite a handful of them already nowadays.

Integrated economies. Flush cities have tall buildings, therefore this paradigm must be expanded. Investment bankers like to enjoy room-service and hookers up on high.

I mean some cities have a height limit cap, it look like London have such limit, but doesn't look like it's have now.

example;

In Athens, buildings are not allowed to surpass twelve floors such as not to block the view towards the Parthenon. There are several exceptions though such as the Athens Tower, the Atrina center and the OTE central building which exceed that level. This is due to them being either built far away from the centre or the fact that they were constructed in periods of political instability. The city's tallest structure is the Athens Tower reaching 103m and counting 25 floors.

As far as I can tell, the main problem for TfL is that they appear to be getting no political support on this one.

I just saw this comment on another website:

'Let's not forget it was Boris who ditched the M4 bus lane, as one of his first (few) acts. And why? Because Addison Lee supplied free minicabs to his campaign (as exposed in Private Eye). What a surprise.'
http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/addisonlee-theres-every-chance-that.html

It's widely reported that Addison Lee also gave Boris £25,000 for his 2008 campaign and the Conservative Party at least £250,000:

'Last night' John Griffin 'said he had also been to parties hosted by the Prime Minister at Downing Street and at Mr Cameron’s own home, where the PM’s wife Sam and the couple’s children were also present.

The visits to No10 were not revealed in the lists of wealthy backers entertained there, which aides were forced to produce after the cash-for-dinners scandal.'
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-hit-by-new-cash-for-access-797146

Everything I can see online (including TfL) says that driving in bus lanes is a criminal offence for PHVs so I just cannot understand how John Griffin has not been charged with 'encouraging or assisting a crime'. It all seems very weird to me.

Speaking of such, is there's a reason to why London is getting more skyscraper? seemed to be building quite a handful of them already nowadays.

Because the rules stopping them being built have been removed by those with money to do so..

The City has to compete with Canary Wharf so the old restrictions have to go.

To the best of my knowledge the view to St Paul's is protected from all points, from as far afield as Richmond and Greenwich. Plenty buildings have been refused planning permission as they'd impede these ancient laws, so I'm surprised a view in the centre of town doesn't enjoy equal rights.

I's protected from *some *points. Not all. More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_view

Speaking of such, is there's a reason to why London is getting more skyscraper? seemed to be building quite a handful of them already nowadays.

Money.

John Griffin said:

“Politicians are not running the country. Businessmen are. They are the housewives. We give them the money.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-hit-by-new-cash-for-access-797146

he couldn't have been more accurate.

Or more of a smug cunt.