Residents have launched a “last resort” bid to prevent three low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in east London being ripped out by the borough mayor.
The Save Our Safer Streets campaign has brought is case to the Court of Appeal after losing a High Court challenge against Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman in December last year.
Campaigners have raised over £100,000 from 1,918 separate donations to fund the legal challenge.
The three LTN schemes – in Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road and Arnold Circus – were introduced by the borough’s previous Labour mayor, John Biggs, in 2021.
Mr Rahman, who is the leader of his own political party, called Aspire, was re-elected in 2022 on a manifesto pledge to “reopen the roads”.
The court appeal is on three grounds: that Mr Rahman did not run a fair consultation on removing the LTNs, did not take the borough’s transport plan – known as a local implementation plan (LIP) - properly into account and failed to follow the correct procedures.
The LTNs include cycle lanes, pocket parks, seating areas and large planters that prevent residential streets being used by through traffic.
Campaigners believe it would cost the council about £2.5m to rip out the schemes and redesign the roads.
LIP funding is provided by Transport for London to boroughs for schemes that are in accordance with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s citywide transport strategy, which aims to reduce car use and encourage walking and cycling.
Jane Harris, a resident and campaigner, said: “We are very encouraged that the appeal court thinks our case raises new and important issues of public interest and that we have a realistic prospect of success.
“This case could have London-wide implications for how the Mayor of London implements his vision for transport across the city, and it will set a precedent for local communities fighting to protect improvements to their local streets.
“It’s important to note that the judge at our initial judicial review said that this case was not about the rights and wrongs of removing the LTNs, just about whether the decision to do so was legal.
“We believe it was legally flawed, but it was also just a bad decision. To go through with it would be harmful for residents’ health and safety, an appalling waste of £2.5m of public money and would make a mockery of the mayor’s claim to be a ‘listening Mayor’.
“We are deeply concerned about one London council developing transport plans that are totally at odds with what its own residents want, and with the transport policies of both regional and national governments.
“We are still hoping that the Mayor of Tower Hamlets will listen to and work with local residents, businesses, schools and TfL to figure out a way for us to retain the many benefits of the schemes while tweaking any parts of the design that need improving.”
Prior to the introduction of the LTNs, more than 8,000 vehicles a day used Old Bethnal Green Road – including lorries seeking a shortcut that passed four primary schools.
In Arnold Circus, residents complained of late-night “car bars” where revellers who had been out in nearby Shoreditch would drink alcohol in cars out of hours, play loud music and cause anti-social behaviour into the early hours.
Since the LTNs were introduced, “rat-run” traffic in Old Bethnal Green road has been reduced, serious road injuries have been virtually eliminated and anti-social behaviour in Arnold Circus has reduced.
Leigh Day partner, Ricardo Gama, who represents Save our Safer Streets, said: “The Aspire party made a manifesto commitment to consult fairly on any changes to LTNs in Tower Hamlets.
“Our clients are looking forward to arguing in court that, not only have Aspire not stuck to that promise, they have failed to go through the proper process of revising the Local Implementation Plan that the borough agreed with the Mayor of London.”
Tower Hamlets council has been approached for comment.
