Coronavirus: Sheffield taxi drivers cancel protest against council's clean air zone

Cabbies were due to gather en masse outside the Town Hall at 1pm on Wednesday, March 18 ahead of a cabinet meeting.

But following the government's current advice to avoid all mass gatherings, they have had to put it off.

Ibrar Hussain, GMB union representative, said: "We have no choice but to postpone the demonstration until a later date. We will keep you all posted."

The clean air zone is due to be enforced this year. It will charge high polluting buses, taxis, vans, lorries and coaches for driving on the inner ring road and city centre, including Park Square and the A61/Parkway junction.

For taxis and large goods vehicles the charge will be £10 a day. For coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles it will be £50 a day.

Sheffield Council said they hope it will encourage drivers to upgrade to more environmentally-friendly vehicles to avoid the charges.

A two month consultation on the plans found taxi drivers were very concerned, with 95 percent having to upgrade their cars. Previously, more than 100 taxi drivers said they quit their job because of the incoming changes.

Councillor Bob Johnson, cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: “The survey results show people want to see action taken – but if we’re going to be successful in reducing pollution we need to help taxi drivers and local small businesses move to cleaner vehicles.

“It’s vital that we get investment from central government to assist local businesses and taxis to upgrade their fleets.”

The government's current advice on mass gatherings is: "In line with the social distancing guidance it is advised that large gatherings should not take place.

"While the risks of transmitting the disease at mass gatherings are relatively low, these steps will also allow emergency services that would have been deployed for these events to be prioritised in alleviating pressure on public services."

The government has also encouraged members of the public to avoid unnecessary social contact and to work from home where possible.