Rickshaw Drivers Establish Makeshift Camp Near Buckingham Palace

Rickshaw drivers have been observed sleeping in their vehicles and using the grounds near Buckingham Palace as a public toilet, The Daily Mail has reported. These drivers, many of whom are migrants of Eastern European origin, have reportedly been using a lay-by on Grosvenor Place, a designated coach pick-up point, as a place to rest overnight. Over the past three weeks, up to ten drivers at a time have been found sleeping in their cabs, with some using nearby bushes along the western perimeter wall of Buckingham Palace Gardens for sanitation.

One commuter described the situation as a "common sight" in the early morning, expressing concern that "nobody seems to care or do anything about it." The commuter added, "You'd think with security and everything this wouldn't be allowed to happen. It's just another example of how broken Britain is."

The findings emerge as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan prepares to implement a crackdown on the pedicab industry. The new regulations aim to address issues such as extortionate fares, loud music, and erratic driving. In the past, Members of Parliament have heard accounts of tourists being charged hundreds of pounds for short journeys. For example, one tourist was reportedly charged over £450 for a seven-minute trip with their two children.

Despite the upcoming regulations, which include fare caps and licensing requirements set to take effect on October 30, there is little evidence that drivers are complying. Price lists found at the site indicate fares as high as £10 per person per minute, far exceeding the planned cap of £5 plus £1 per minute. A 60-minute ride, for instance, could still cost an astonishing £480 under the current pricing structure.

The new rules will require pedicab drivers and their vehicles to be licensed, undergo police record checks, and meet English language requirements. Vehicles will need to be road-legal, fitted with number plates, and regularly checked for safety. Operators must also have premises in London and conduct fire risk assessments and staff background checks. The annual license fees are set at £114 for a driver and £100 for a vehicle.

Transport for London (TfL) stated that the fares were designed to ensure drivers could earn above the London living wage and will be subject to ongoing review. Mayor Khan expressed his commitment to regulating pedicabs to ensure "proper operational standards" and a "more safe, reliable and professional" industry.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the findings, citing security protocols. Councillor Paul Swaddle, leader of Westminster City Council, stated, "Nobody should be sleeping in a coach bay or using the walls of Buckingham Palace as a public toilet." He urged the Mayor and TfL to "enforce it robustly from day one" once licensing becomes mandatory.

Pedicabs, officially known as pedicabs, have been a part of London's streetscape since the early 1990s. While operators describe them as a "fun, eco-friendly, unique and memorable experience," critics argue they have contributed to street congestion and operate in a "dangerous and unregulated way."