Strange Goings On, At The Nobu Taxi Rank...Action By PCOs Nothing Less Than Scandalous.

Strange occurrence yesterday, quite late in the evening I came across this Vito, a TfL licensed London Taxi which had ‘two’ wheel clamps fitted. 

The vehicle had been clamped on the working rank outside ‘Nobu’ which has a history of Private hire vehicles using the rank to park and wait to become hired (basically plying for trade). 

Photo below was taken just as I left the rank with a job. (Photo actually taken by my passenger) It shows a minicab that I'd already asked to leave the rank, picking up a job. The TfLTPH no longer passes on to enforcement, evidence of this type of contravention. 

These four TfL registered PHVs below, were all parked on Hakkasan rank in Bruton Street Mayfair, reported on TfLTPH Twitter feed, who then refused to take the matter up with Cab Enforcement.....so no action taken by TfL.

On closer inspection, in appears the Vito Taxi on the rank, had been clamped by JBW judicial services group, bailiffs who's registered office is in Darlington. 

A warning notice had been plastered to the side window, which informed the driver the vehicle had been clamped because the owner had failed to pay an alleged outstanding sum. 

         

We haven’t seen clamped vehicles in London for quite a few years and I was under the impression that it was in fact illegal to for a third party to use clamp. 

What makes this strange is that just in front of the Taxi and directly in front of the Taxi rank, was a black private Tesla, which also had been clamped by the same firm. What an amazing coincidence!!!

       

Both vehicles had been clamped at around 6pm and were still there 6 hours later when I drove passed there to use the rank at midnight. 

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT:

Most of the ranks in Mayfair last night had TfL registered PHVs parked up, waiting for work. TfL are ignoring complaints from Licensed Taxi drivers trying to access these working ranks.....and yet...PCOs were reported outside Annabel's in Berkeley Square, were Taxis were operating a rolling rank because of the frequency of customers leaving, requiring Taxis. 

Why is there 'still' no rank outside Annabel's?

What was the use of putting the Sexy Fish rank, out of sight, around the corner in Bruton Lane?

Is this the result of having a ranks committee chaired by someone who doesn't drive a Taxi?