Rickshaw drivers establish makeshift camp near Buckingham Palace

Rickshaw operators have established a makeshift camp in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace, using the area near Grosvenor Place for overnight stays. Observations conducted over a three-week period revealed that up to ten drivers at a time sleep under blankets across the seats of their pedal-powered vehicles.

Reports indicate that drivers frequently use the bushes along the western perimeter wall of Buckingham Palace Gardens as an outdoor toilet. The site is located in a busy area between Hyde Park Corner and Victoria Station, which is managed by Transport for London and designated as a red route where parking is prohibited.

This situation arises as London prepares for new regulations regarding pedicabs. Starting October 30, 2026, operators will be required to hold licenses, and maximum fares will be capped. Proposed limits include a base fee of up to £5, with rates of £1 per minute for the first passenger and £3 for subsequent passengers.