WHAT’S the quickest road route from Tottenham Court Road to Pimlico? You have 15 seconds to devise the journey. Go!

Only those with “The Knowledge” are meant to be able to do that – the treasured memory skill of London’s black cab community. Certainly don’t tell any of the proud drivers that they could simply use a satnav.

It was confirmed this week, however, that the numbers applying to join the ranks have fallen. Only 221 people were ready to go through the process last year and it was claimed the world-famous test may soon be phased out.

“It’s no secret that Knowledge numbers are down and most within the trade agree that we do need to do something about encouraging the next generation of cabbies,” Paul Brennan from the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association warns in the latest edition of TAXI, the organisation’s spirited monthly magazine.

“The suggestion however from one mini cab association that TfL should pay experienced mini cab drivers to do a fast-track Knowledge is not the answer, and never will be.”

He added: “Their claim that any mini cab driver that’s worked London for a while will know the streets ‘like the backs of their hand’ just doesn’t cut the mustard.

“Following a satnav does not equate to you actually learning a route. I can follow a recipe, but it doesn’t make me a Michelin-starred chef.”