(1)TfL may by London cab order designate any standing for hackney carriages appointed under section 4 of the London Hackney Carriages Act 1850 (c. 7) to be a directional taxi rank—
(a)at all times; or
(b)for such times of the day, days or other periods as may be specified in the order.
(2)Where TfL designates a directional taxi rank, TfL shall cause a sign to be displayed at the rank clearly indicating—
(a)the direction or directions in which the drivers of vehicles plying for hire at that rank are required to travel if so requested by any person wishing to hire the vehicle in question; and
(b)the times, days or other periods for which the rank is designated to be a directional taxi rank.
(3)Notwithstanding section 35 of the London Hackney Carriage Act 1831 (c. 22) and section 17 of the London Hackney Carriage Act 1853 (c. 33), the driver of a hackney carriage plying for hire at a directional taxi rank may refuse to drive his vehicle in a direction which is not the specified direction or, where more than one direction is specified, which is not one of the specified directions.
(4)Where it appears to TfL to be desirable or expedient TfL may suspend the operation of a designation under this section for such period or periods as TfL thinks fit.
(5)In this section—
“directional taxi rank” means a standing for hackney carriages whose drivers are plying for hire only for journeys in a specified direction or in one of several specified directions;
“London cab order” means an order made under section 9 of the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869 (c. 115); and
“specified direction”, in relation to a directional taxi rank, means the direction (or any of the directions) specified in the designation relating to that rank.