An eight-year ban on taxis crossing a junction in the centre of the City of London will be partially lifted later this month.
Restrictions have been in place at Bank junction since 2017, meaning that only cyclists and buses can travel across the intersection beside the Bank of England during weekdays.
The ban was introduced by the City of London Corporation after the death of cyclist Ying Tao, 26, who was killed by a left-turning HGV as she cycled to work in 2015.
However, the City Corporation has now bowed to demands from the taxi industry to allow greater access to the junction.
The changes, which were agreed last year, will begin on Monday July 28 and continue for a trial period of up to 18 months, the City Corporation has announced.
Black cab drivers will be able to cross the junction from Poultry and Cornhill, but only from west to east initially due to construction work on Leadenhall Street, relating to the redevelopment of 1 Leadenhall Street.
When these works are completed in October, licensed taxis will also be able to travel east to west – Cornhill to Poultry - across Bank junction.
Other traffic, including private hire vehicles such as Uber minicabs, will continue to be restricted between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.
City council members supported the changes for two key reasons – that most black cabs are now “zero emission capable”, and that it would improve access to the area for people less able to walk, cycle or use public transport.
The limited changes were also welcomed by cycle campaigners, who were relieved that many vehicle turning movements would continue to be banned.
Previously Bank junction was regarded as the most dangerous junction in the Square Mile for cyclists and pedestrians – but became one of the safest due to the changes, though pedestrians complained about the danger from cyclists who jumped red lights.
Simon Munk, of the London Cycling Campaign, said: “The news the trial won't be reintroducing complex turning movements at what in the past was a really complex, hostile and dangerous junction is very welcome - it's vital on safety grounds in our view.
“But until the trial starts, we won't know for sure how many taxis will start cutting through Bank again.
“We continue to object to taxis going through Bank because the City's own evidence strongly suggests taxis and their passengers gain little to nothing from driving through Bank and the current layout serves them well.
“Not only will reintroducing taxis to Bank not particularly benefit taxi users, it will very likely have negative effects - more motor vehicles means less people-friendly streets, more congestion, more road danger impacting those walking, cycling and on buses.
“The trial will show how many taxis choose to use Bank as a cut-through and therefore how big the negative impact is on everyone else. But the clear risk is an amazing, now very people-friendly space will be less so once the trial is going.”
The City Corporation said the changes would be monitored to “assess impacts on traffic, safety and access”. A public consultation process will start from October.
After the end of the trial period, the City Corporation will decided whether to make the changes permanent.
Tom Sleigh, chairman of the City’s planning and transportation committee, said: “The improvement works at Bank Junction have been a great success, with many more people now relaxing and enjoying themselves in this more pedestrian friendly, vibrant area.
“With that in mind, we’ll be carefully monitoring the impact of reintroducing taxis through the junction, during the trial period.
“Black cabs in the City have an impeccable safety record and with most of them now also electric vehicles, they have the potential to enhance the area for those unable to use modes of active travel, or who need transportation when public services aren’t available.”
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