A campaigner in favour of low traffic neighbourhood (LTNs) schemes in Tower Hamlets says she is ‘feeling positive’ following last month’s judicial review which challenged the council’s decision to remove them.
Campaign group, Save Our Safer Streets (SOSS) argue the Liveable Streets schemes make walking routes safer, improve cycle paths and create healthier air because less cars are on the roads.
Last month (November 20), SOSS was involved in a two-day hearing at the High Court where lawyers presenting their case argued Tower Hamlets Council’s decision-making process and consultation was ‘flawed’.
Transport for London (TfL) joined the case as an ‘Interested Party’, arguing the decision to remove Liveable Streets did not follow necessary legal steps and went against the council’s own Local Implementation Plan, previously agreed with the Mayor of London.
A judge is now deciding whether the council followed the legal steps in its decision to remove them, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands a decision is expected in early January.
A council spokesperson previously said it remained confident with its legal position and looked forward to the outcome of the hearing.
In September 2023, Tower Hamlets mayor, Lutfur Rahman said he was removing the ‘bulk’ of existing schemes most prominent around Bethnal Green and Brick Lane.
Mr Rahman, of the Aspire Party, said the schemes ‘push traffic down surrounding arterial roads, typically lived on by less affluent residents’.
Mr Rahman said the schemes implemented under the previous Labour administration were ‘botched’ and pledged to reverse the them as part of Aspire’s manifesto.
At the time he announced a £6million funding package which would go towards improving air quality measures, road safety, building more infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling as well as enhancing public spaces such as planting more trees.
In response to the decision, SOSS announced it was seeking a judicial review and launched a crowdfunding campaign which ended up raising over £78,000 to help cover legal costs.
Jane Harris from SOSS said it was hard to say what the decision will be, but that campaigners are ‘absolutely determined’ to keep going.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms Harris said: “I think we left the court feeling quite inspired and positive, we were just quite impressed by the strength of the legal argument.
“We’re really inspired that people have put their hands in their pockets during a cost of living crisis. I think it just shows how much people care about this – over 1,000 people [donated to the crowdfunding page].”
She added: “The council had agreed with TfL to put these Liveable Streets schemes – the question was about if you agree to do something, does that mean it’s okay to just change your mind and take it out?
“Have you fulfilled your obligation by building them and then taking them away?”
A council spokesperson previously said: “We remain confident in our legal position and we look forward to the outcome [of the hearing].”
