Think London, and you are sure to think Big Ben, black cabs and red phone booths. Sadly, the phone booths are no more, and it looks like the black cabs will be going next.

It was the summer of ‘96, and while on a trip to London, I was lucky to aquaint myself with Nelly, a lady cab driver. She drove her black cab with elan. Not only was she a great driver, but she also knew every road in London, and the shortest route to get there. This is a trait I am told, of most black cab drivers. In fact, cab drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge test to prove how well they know the steets.

Called Hackney carriages, these black cabs operate only in London, more specifically, in the areas within the M25 motorway. Unfortunately, the oldest regulated public transport system in the world will now have to back off the roads, if they don’t conform to the new car emmissions laws of the EU.

London Taxis International who are the manufacturers of the black cabs, are in the process of developing a low-emission engine, but are sorely short of funds. What’s more, Government funding at the moment, definitely looks like an impossible dream, according to this London-focused website.

While the cars won’t just disappear from London roads suddenly, the way the eco laws are working, Londonners are bracing themselves to see London’s roads devoid of its black cabs.

London will definitely look different without the black cars on every road. I for one, would hate to be in Nelly’s cab on its last drive home.