Taxi drivers blocked one of Bristol’s busiest intersections this morning (October 29), causing traffic jams around the city center
Taxi drivers staged a protest at Bearpit (St James Barton) roundabout and stood there for over an hour
An eyewitness said he saw around 50 drivers parked around the roundabout at 8 a.m.30h, stationary
The Bristol Blue Licensing Taxi Association calls on Bristol City Council to restore its standing outside the racetrack, saying its withdrawal has hit the business hard
Advice says rank is « dangerous » and another space has been provided nearby
Traffic service Inrix advised: « Traffic queued due to a taxi demonstration on the A4044 Bond Street to A38 The Haymarket (St James Barton roundabout)
« Congestion to return along the A4044, to J2 of the M32, as well as to return in both directions of the A38 out of the city center
Some First Bus services had to stop early to avoid the worst of congestion, with passengers traveling through the center being advised to expect delays
In a tweet he posted: « All services are now back on their normal route with delays » Our apologies for any inconvenience this has no doubt caused «
Twitter user claims he supports Bristol taxi protest strikes causing ‘misery’ in city streets
And some of them think people who need to get around should stick with two wheels rather than four
The demonstration at the Bearpit has ended and the taxi drivers are gone, but the congestion is taking time to dissipate
Traffic watch service Inrix reports: « Taxis were driving slowly around the James Barton roundabout in protest, but they are now dissipating »
Metrobus tweeted: « The St James Barton incident is now resolved and traffic conditions are back to normal »
Delays driving up the M32 are reported following the Bristol city center taxi demonstration
The Inrix traffic monitoring site reports traffic jams on the A4044, up to J2 of the M32, as well as in both directions of the A38 outside the city center
Taxis circulated slowly around the James Barton roundabout in protest, but they are now dissipating
« We had long conversations with various representatives of the mad trade about the serious public safety issues outside of the racetrack caused to the public and why this makes it a dangerous place for taxis
To support the taxi business, we have invested in an alternative space 30 to 40 meters down the road outside Boots, including a shelter for customers and signs indicating its location, as well as another larger row opposite and opposite on Colston St
During the pandemic, we also supported trade with a free plate for six months by transmitting the MOT waiver, and provided over 10,000 face masks to keep drivers and passengers safe.
Vehicles illegally parked at the bus stop outside the racetrack and at the taxi rank further up the road will be forced out using Penalty Notices (PCNs)
Other taxi ranks have been developed outside the BRI, and we will keep under consideration other spaces that can be used safely by commerce «
First Bus has informed passengers of significant delays following this morning’s strike, with some routes stopping below their usual destination
He tweeted: « All services that normally end and begin their journey at Broad Quay will now end at Rupert St Please use the bus stops on Nelson Street to board »
LONG DELAYS – Taxi protest takes place in and around St James Barton Services roundabout currently on normal route with CT delays
TAX PROTEST – All services which normally end and begin their journey at Broad Quay will now end at Rupert St Please use the bus stops on Nelson Street to embark All BQ services will operate a normal route with long CT delays
They are due to finish their strike action at 10 a.m. – they are currently still stationary at the Bearpit
Bristol Blue Licensing Taxi Association President Saif Hussain posted on Facebook yesterday: « There will be a taxi protest tomorrow Thursday October 29 at 7:30 am against the Council Meet at Brunswick Square
« As you know we lost three major ranks when the center was renamed (Alpha rank, Baldwin rank, Hippodrome rank) and now drivers are getting fines to be picked up at the racetrack
« We’re asking for a little overnight ranking Be there to show your support, your business needs you »
There is heavy traffic around the city center this morning as taxi drivers organize a strike
A witness, who drove past the Bearpit Roundabout at 8:30 a.m., said about 50 blue taxis stopped and blocked the lanes, causing traffic jams
Traffic monitoring service Inrix reports: « Traffic queuing due to taxi demonstration on roads around Bristol city center at St James Barton roundabout
« Congestion along the A4044, up to J2 of the M32, as well as in both directions of the A38 outside the city center »
Bristol, Demonstration, M32
News from around the world – UK – Traffic in Bristol is blocked as taxi drivers stage protest
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– EN LIVE: Bristol traffic stalled as taxi drivers protest at Bearpit