Cabbies in go-slow protest

Taxi drivers are today staging go- slows in protest at plans to increase the number of black cabs touting for business.

The Office of Fair Trading proposes to lift the limit on black cab numbers so the service is more flexible, customers will not have to wait so long, and they will be less exposed to the dangers of illegal minicabs.

But the Transport and General Workers' Union and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) say the new measures will mean empty taxis on the roads and force up prices.

Taxis will picket the OFT in Salisbury Square, and the go-slow will affect Watford, Brighton, Bristol, Liverpool, Gateshead and Southampton.

Bob Oddy, LTDA general secretary, said the average waiting time for a cab at major London junctions is only 19 seconds. But the OFT stands by its finding that restrictions on cab numbers "are detrimental to the general public".