Commuters in London and other major cities around the world have faced travel chaos as a result of protest over the introduction of a new travel app.

Taxi drivers have staged protests which have caused traffic jams and travel disruption because they believe the app, which has been designed by San Francisco-based Uber Technologies, threatens their livelihood.

The application, which is used on mobile phones, enables users to summon rides. However, taxi drivers claim it contravenes regulations by acting as a taxi meter which can determine the fare for journeys. 

Only registered vehicles are allowed to have such meters. Transport for London has granted the company a licence, however, and it has 3,000 registered drivers in London.

"We have nothing against competition but we feel that Transport for London has failed Londoners by allowing Uber to operate outside the law," said Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association.