Commuter chaos: Black cabs hold up Tottenham Court Road during rush hour for a third day

Black cab drivers have launched a third day of protests during London's evening rush hour, gathering on Tottenham Court Road and halting traffic.

The week-long demonstration, organised by the Independent Taxi Alliance (ITA), is in protest over plans to restrict access to the route as part of a £35m transformation project. The blockade is scheduled to last until 7pm, according to LBC.

Camden Council have said only buses and bikes will be allowed to travel along the road between 8am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday, as the route will be turned into two-way traffic from March.

Transport for London has warned of disruption to the area, and advised commuters to seek other routes.

https://twitter.com/TfLTrafficNews/status/1088105137434955777

In a statement on Monday, the ITA called on the council to include cabs in the project and said: "The local authority could reasonably conclude that taxi access to bus lanes is liable to enhance the efficiency of the London road transport system".

The ITA warned cabbies taking part this evening to keep one lane open for emergency vehicles, after an ambulance was reportedly held up in the area on Monday.

I'M HERE.

AS YOU ARE WAVED INTO TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, BY THE POLICE, PLEASE HEAD RIGHT UP TO THE TOP, TO ALLOW OTHERS TO ENTER.

KEEP RIGHT HAND LANE OPEN FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES, PLEASE. pic.twitter.com/4OZoRr8r6G

— ITA ⭕ (@ProactiveITA) January 23, 2019