I have been hearing from fellow cyclists over the past few years how awful some Addison Lee Drivers there, am pretty certain some of their actions have been recorded and stuck up on youtube.
Anyway a few weeks ago I had cause to make a complaint to them:
Dear Addison Lee,
I was cycling to B******* Library where I work and as I was turning right to get onto Little Boltons (SW5) a car was beeping at me. As I was indicating right and had positioned myself into primary I was loathe to understand what the issue was. In the next moment the car driver (registration number *****) tried to force his way past me by moving his vehicle towards my back wheel, and upon finding that he could not prevent me from changing my position on the road tried to shunt me from the side.
It was extremely threatening and intimidating behaviour from your driver and if I do not hear any feedback from yourselves then I shall be obliged to report him to the Metropolitan Police Road Safe Team as I believe that he should not be driving, least of all representing your company.
Yours faithfully
Katie
Lewisham Cyclists
Anyway, I had a reply back from Addison Lee:
Dear Katie,
Thank you, for your email. I can confirm I have now investigated your query regarding our driver registration **** ***.
With reference to the points you have raised, we have noted your complaint on the driver’s record and this has been referred to our Driver Liaison Manager. The driver will be interviewed regarding the incident and if deemed necessary, retrained at ourDriverTraining School. This is not the standard of performance we expect from a driver representing Addison Lee.
I totally accept and understand that no employer of Addison Lee should be behaving in this manner with any of our customers. Please be advised we are taking this matter very seriously. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Regards,
Customer Relations Executive
That was very nice of them. I responded back:
Dear Addison Lee
Many thanks for getting back to me so promptly with regards to my complaint.
As a campaigner for safer roads I am very pleased that you are so proactive in this area and take it very seriously. I was wondering if it was possible to visit your Driver training School and to see what goes on?
Kind regards
Katie
I got a further response back from them:
Dear Katie,
Thank you, for your email. I can confirm your email has been forwarded onto **********, the Marketing Manger. He will get in touch with you regarding a possible visit.
Now that was 3 weeks ago! I spoke to a hackney cab driver since and he has said (allegedly) that apart from Addison Lee Headquarters there is no Driving School.
I feel another letter coming on! Will keep you updated folks!