Update – 12 March 2024 - VICTORY for Uber access!
The three year deadlock on Uber has finally been broken. After a petition (below) launched by Greg, and with significant effort led by local women like Hillary Cannon, the Council finally reached agreement with Uber to allow their drivers to enter the controlled Fulham SW6 traffic zones.
This is a huge local victory for concerned local residents!
It is great news that a solution has been found following the campaign, led by local business owner Hillary Cannon and Greg, which highlighted very serious women’s safety concerns. Greg thanks Hillary and everyone who took the time to sign his petition regarding women’s safety concerns.
Greg does yet believe this solution covers other mobile app taxi services such as FREENOW, Bolt or Lyft. However, it is a huge step in the right direction.
The combined efforts have forced to council to finally wake up to the threat to women’s safety caused by these traffic schemes, following residents, business owners and Greg calling for action.
Greg remains concerned about the impact the schemes are having on local businesses and condemn the way Labour-run LBHF has treated them throughout the trial and implementation of the schemes.
LBHF must find a solution for the traffic schemes to work for local businesses and our local economy.
Greg continues to work with residents and local businesses to find solutions.
ENDS
As many residents will know, in South Fulham, cameras have been installed and traffic measures put in place by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to restrict non-borough traffic driving through the area with the aim of pushing traffic on to the main roads of Fulham. Locally, these are referred to as the SW6 Traffic Schemes.
However, since the introduction of the controversial schemes by the Council, Greg has been contacted by countless residents and businesses about their negative impact on the local area. The knock-on effect has been huge.
A very serious concern shared by local women and women-owned businesses, which has been reflected in recent media coverage, is that many Uber (and other mobile app taxi services) drivers are refusing to enter the area(s) due to fear of being fined. Alarmingly, this is resulting in women not being dropped off at their front doors, and instead women are dropped off outside of the zone(s). Women are then having to walk home, often alone, at night.
Ensuring that residents feel safe is a priority for Greg. The Council needs to wake up to the threat to women’s safety caused by these traffic schemes. Residents and business owners are calling for action and so is Greg!
Women’s safety is an important issue that needs to be urgently addressed by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
The Council need to take action and find a solution for all taxis entering the area(s).