Cab drivers photo M4 bus lane use

Unite Vincent McGonigle says members are unhappy at other vehicles using the lane

Black cab drivers angry at what they say is the misuse of the M4 bus lane have taken photographs of other vehicles they say are wrongly using it.

Unite said it was "fed up with misuse" of the bus lane by all drivers who were not supposed to be in it.

Only buses, coaches, motorbikes, emergency vehicles and licensed taxis can use the lane, which runs between Heathrow Airport and central London.

But minicab firm Addison Lee has instructed its drivers to use it.

'Massive misuse'

The 3.5 mile lane on the motorway into west London was launched by then-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in 1999.

In September, BBC London found the M4 bus lane was rarely being enforced, with only 14 fixed penalty notices of £60 issued in 2008.

It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Is that when the authorities will act? Vincent McGonigle, Unite

There are no dedicated cameras watching the bus lane - and the Metropolitan Police have said policing it is not a priority.

"No-one has put their hands up to the policing of the bus lane and people are taking advantage," said Vincent McGonigle of the black cabs Section of Unite.

"We want to prove to the government bodies that there is a massive amount of misuse. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Is that when the authorities will act?" he added.

But Addison Lee believes its drivers have the right to use the lane and are willing to challenge any tickets they get in court.

"If we don't get satisfaction in the courts here we will go to the European court because this is a clear act of discrimination," said John Griffin, chairman of Addison Lee.

"We seek to compete, for the benefit of the public, in a way that is fair to all."