HUNDREDS OF irritated taxi drivers are staging a protest drive through Oldbury & Blackheath today to create traffic chaos.
Today’s go-slow drive will be held by Sandwell Private Hire Drivers Association from 2pm to 6. Drivers are encouraged to drive at 5mph to create huge tailbacks.
It will begin in West Bromwich and continue through Oldbury, Blackheath, and Cradley Heath.
Sandwell Council advised motorists to be prepared for disruption and to seek alternative routes.
Since Wednesday, April 20, drivers have protested outside Sandwell Council House in Oldbury every day for two hours.
Drivers are dissatisfied at how long it takes the council to issue private hire licences. They hope the drive will cause as much disruption as possible to make their point.
They claim there are many issues, and that their calls to the licensing department are not answered.
They claim they have been passed from one pillar to the next by Sandwell Council, with ongoing issues since 2020.
Mohammad Niwaz is the chairman of Sandwell Private Hire Drivers Association. He stated that Kerrie Carmichael, Sandwell Council leader, has no interest in resolving these issues.
“We hope that the protest drive will bring about tailbacks, because we want to see the council realize what they are doing.
“They should talk to us, not ignore us.”
Sandwell Council stated: “We are aware that there has been a protest between 2 and 6 this afternoon (Wednesday).” The protest involved vehicles driving slowly between West Bromwich and Old Hill via Oldbury or Blackheath.
“The route could include the M5 J1 roundabout at West Bromwich or Birchley Island in Oldbury.
“This could cause some disruption to the roads, so please find alternate routes wherever possible and allow extra time for your journeys during these hours.”
Taxis will depart from Guru Har Rai Gurdawara Car Park, West Bromwich High Street, and continue towards the motorway junction roundabout. They will then travel towards Birmingham Road, Sandwell College, Bromford Lane and then onto Oldbury business park.
