Taxi Driver Online

November 27, 2007 Tuesday

Three arrested during taxi strike

Banbury Cake

POLICE were forced to intervene as tempers flared during a taxi driver strike in north Oxfordshire.

All 83 Hackney Carriage drivers in Bicester, Banbury and Kidlington, went on strike on Friday and Saturday nights to protest at council plans to increase the number of cabbies on the road.

Buses providing emergency cover for people in Banbury were given police escorts after three people were arrested in connection with the dispute.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Toby Shergold said: "There were concerns among the bus drivers that they may be targeted in some way - but that did not prove to be the case."

Two people were arrested at 11.30pm on Friday in George Street, Banbury, on suspicion of breaching the peace. They were released without charge.

Another was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and was bailed until January.

Cherwell District Council spent £3,000 hiring two coaches and a double-decker bus to cover for the taxis.

Bicester taxi driver Saeed Ahmed said: "A lot of money has been lost this weekend. I would say I have lost about £400.

"The drivers united and went on strike together as we felt we needed to prove a point. It is vital that the council and the public see what a major part of the community we are."
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