Birmingham taxi drivers to strike over Clean Air Zone

Taxi drives across Birmingham are due to stage 'go-slow' protests from today, 23 April, saying their concerns have not been listened too over Clean Air Zones.

The Clean Air Zone in Birmingham will impose daily £8 charges for non compliant vehicles and hundreds of diesel black cab drivers face having to upgrade if they are to avoid the fees.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union says that while the authority has made a number of changes, it has not met all the demands of the taxi drivers, which included exemption altogether from the charge and more money towards converting their cars to LPG or buying a new compliant vehicle.

Raja Amin, president for RMT Midlands regional council, said: "We feel there have been no meaningful discussions or negotiations and no real changes to the initial proposals."

"This policy was steamrolled without any consideration given to any views or input from the RMT, floor or any other organisations."