The backlash against Addison Lee came to a head with Monday night's 'die-in', but the company is facing further disruption
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2012/apr/24/addison-lee-protest-boycott-chairman
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Addison Lee hit by protest and boycott
(21 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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I think.
Little John from the guilty pleasure that is Costner's Robin Hood - "You're stirred up a bluddy 'ornets nest now!"
Posted 13 years ago # -
Bad news I am afraid
http://www.addisonlee.com/press/read/561
The judge presiding over the case has not issued the injunction. John Griffin is chuffed and cites, of course, the Olympic games as a reason for his cabs to be able to use the bus lanes for faster journeys, well London is an Olympic city and needs to lift it's profile to fit.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I see they have the laurels and insignia accredited to companies that are considered Investors in People. RIE/NHS Lothian sas just been accredited as such but Nicola Sturgeon has asked for an investigation in the bullying culture that exists in RIE...funny that innit? Doesn't say a lot for it - but there you go.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Mr Justice Eder, who handed down judgment today following a High Court hearing on Monday 23 April 2012, has instead confirmed that it is for drivers to choose whether or not they drive in bus lanes pending the resolution of Addison Lee’s legal challenge to the validity of the bus lane legislation.
What?
So, if a bunch of cyclists decide to issue a legal challenge to the validity of say, cycling on pavements, citing "“flagrant discrimination in favour of pedestrians”, then until the case is decided we can all cycle on the pavement with the blessing of the courts?
Nonsense!
Posted 13 years ago # -
What can I say....the law is an ass!
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think what the judge is saying is that they can't have an injunction against the letter because he can write letters to his drivers if he wants to (even if he's saying they should do something illegal) and it's up to drivers to decide what they do. And he can spend his money reimbursing any who get fined if he wants to.
It's the same as me writing an article for City Cycling saying that cyclists should ride on the pavement if there's no safer alternative (which I will) and then offering to reimburse anyone who gets fined (which I won't). I guess my freedom to advocate illegality trumps anyone who tries to shut me up. I suppose it's the same basis on which Trotskyists get to campaign for the revolutionary overthrow of the ruling classes. You don't have to like them but you don't get to shut them up.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think that the judge also has a fairly good idea that the AL cabbies will not be busted very often, as the transport police in London are too busy doing other things, and will be particularly busy in the lead up to the Olympics.
Also I am fairly certain that there must be some legislation against inciting or conspiring with people (in this case his drivers) to break the law, particularly written instructions to do so, but not so in Griffin's case it would seem. I personally think it ridiculous.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@Instography, yes I understood that's what the judge was saying too. It's the way Addison Lee have spun it that makes it look like it is perfectly okay for the drivers to use the bus lanes.
Funny how there are teenagers in Dundee being prosecuted and sent to prison for (half jokingly) encouraging folk to riot on a Facebook page. Yet Addison Lee can apparently instruct its self-employed drivers to break the law and that's okay? Yes, difference between a traffic law infringement and rioting, but did anyone actually riot as a result of these boys posting on Facebook?
Posted 13 years ago # -
But there's a difference between inciting a riot in the context of riots elsewhere and a buffoon (whether that's me or John Griffin) calling on people to break a law with unexciting consequences.
Sorry, but you're comment after the quote seemed to suggest that the judge was sanctioning the use of bus lanes until the review outcome.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@crowriver - Yes, difference between a traffic law infringement and rioting
yes there is but both are against the law, and also carry penalties...and infringe traffic regulations often enough and incur enough points then you lose your licence.
If the cabbies thought that this was the case, that they may end up being caught often enough and lose their licences, they may not take any notice of Griffin's letter, and also as the company is so mean and tight, can't see them paying any fines, which the cabbies would most certainly be unhappy about. They have to pay their own parking fines and get no reimbursement even though they are on AL time.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Interesting article about the injunction from Joshua Rozenberg
Posted 13 years ago # -
As I thought, the Addison Lee spin did not reflect the real judgement.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Why one wonders why is Griffin not being charged with inciting his drivers to break the law - a criminal offence. The evidence is there, in writing, his mandate.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Government has cancelled its Addison Lee contract. Ha ha.
Ha.
Ha ha ha.
Ad inf.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Mentioned on Marcus Williamson's blog, but without citation.
"It can be assumed that the Government's decision on terminating the contract is the direct result of the company's disregard for the law."
Story on Independent newspaper:
"The only existing cross-Government contract with Addison Lee will expire at the end of this month and is not being renewed. The contract has come to its natural end. Departments are using taxis less and reducing travel expenditure, which means we no longer need this type of contract."
A nice neutral-sounding response from UKG, but slightly barbed between the lines. The Times' contact, presumably the same, described it as "a coincidence of timing."
Posted 13 years ago # -
@instography.... indeed ha ha ha ad inf. from here too. ROTFLMAO!! Somehow I am certain that his "employees" are none too bothered either. They get treated like kack. Feel the wrath of the cyclists (or am I being a little presumptuous)!!
I was thinking about Gerald Ratner and his comments about his jewellery being cheap and nasty, though this did cause a slight blip downward for a time, he made a mint and came up smelling of roses...the common touch or something.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Sustrans rep on R4 managed to get there is no such thing as road tax in. She was nervous. Today programme John Griffin was stuck in traffic. True. He has changed his tune. He wants equity with black cabs, dropped other rant. Agreed the peace in London this week between cyclists and hackney cabs set to collapse sustrans worker agreeing equity of only bikes and buses in bus lane equals John griffin's equity.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"
Carlton Reid (@carltonreid)
03/05/2012 09:01
Addison Lee's John Griffin tells his drivers NOT to use bus lanes. BikeBiz: http://bit.ly/JECSPX
"
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well, that just about wraps it up for Addison Lee:
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2012/1903.html
Mr Justice Burton summed it up thus: "For all these reasons the Claimant's application is dismissed."
A noteworthy (albeit London-centric) point was made: "Minicabs are thus not taxis for the purpose of the 2002 Regulations. They are licensed separately under the 1998 Act, are not permitted to ply for hire in London and may only take passengers who have pre-booked through the operating centre specified in the relevant licence."
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
Barring private cabs from London's bus lanes is legal - EU court adviser
"
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL6N0RP27020140924?irpc=932
Posted 10 years ago #
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