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Cycling campaign groups have slammed a taxi protest over plans to close Bank junction off to most traffic, saying drivers are supporting “the right to poison Londoners”.

Black Cab drivers brought traffic to a standstill on Monday evening as they protested plans to close off the notorious junction to all traffic apart from bikes and buses.

Union members have argued that the proposals to only allow cyclists and buses at the junction are an example of TfL dodging the problem of congestion.

But campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists has argued that taxis are one of the biggest causes of London congestion and said the protest is "misguided".

Donnachadh McCarthey, co-founder of SKC, said: “Well firstly the reason Bank Station is being changed is because a person died there – Ying Tao was killed as she cycled through.

“And, additionally, our figures show that 63 per cent of congestion in central London is caused by taxis so the problem is clearly not people who walk or cycle.

“If you go to Holborn, The Strand or Oxford Street the whole road will be dominated by black cabs and we estimate that half of pollution is caused by them.

“So by doing this they are protesting the right to poison Londoners.

“And they are poisoning Londoners when they protest when commuters are trying to get home from work.”

London Cycling Campaign and walking charity Living Streets have also criticised the “misguided” protests.

In a joint statement they praised the City of London Corporation for the proposals and said they “must go ahead to save lives and improve conditions for workers and visitors in the City”.

Tompion Platt from Living Streets said: “Bank Junction is woefully inadequate. It’s hugely polluted, overcrowded and unsafe - as demonstrated by its shocking casualty record.

“These changes will improve Bank Junction for everyone who works, lives and visits the City by making it a safer and healthier place.”

Ashok Sinha, CEO of the LCC, added: “This is not about cars versus bicycles, or pedestrians versus taxis. It’s about stopping more terrible fatalities, celebrating the iconic buildings and making the area a more attractive place.”

Following Monday night’s protest, which gridlocked the busy junction, taxi drivers are planning to continue campaigning for the remainder of the week.

Trevor Meralls, general secretary of the Unites Cabbies Group which organised the protest, said: “Cabs are the lifeblood of the City of London and have been for hundreds of years.

"Restricting access to Bank Junction for taxis is an ill-conceived response to the issue of safety and will make the area significantly less accessible to thousands.”

In a statement on their website, the RMT union accused Transport for London of being “unwilling to tackle the cause of the problem” – which it suggests is Uber.

The union claims the congestion is caused by Uber cars which, in turn, leave people turning to cycling out of “desperation”.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash, said: “The decision to close Bank Junction to traffic is a comically inept one, made exceptionally bitter as the Mayor promised greater access to road space for black cabs.”