High Court throws out challenge to Tower Hamlets plan to remove three LTNs

 A Judicial Review has found that Tower Hamlets Council acted lawfully in deciding to remove three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in the east London borough.

The legal challenge by local campaigners focused on the legality of the council’s consultation process and Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s decision to reopen Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road, and Arnold Circus.

Removal of modal filters was among Rahman’s manifesto pledges before his election in May 2022 (LTT887).

His Aspire party won a majority, replacing the Tower Hamlet’s Labour administration, which had introduced the Liveable Streets to tackle congestion and air pollution and to encourage more residents to cycle, walk and use public transport.

The council held two consultations, in 2022 and 2023, before Rahman made his final decision at a cabinet meeting in September 2023. The LTN on Canrobert Street and the bus gate restriction in Wapping were maintained, along with pedestrian-friendly walking routes, accessible spaces, and 33 School Streets.

All seven grounds argued by the pro-LTN campaigners from Save our Safer Streets were struck down, but the group said that they intended to appeal against the ruling.

Jane Harris, a member of Save our Safer Streets campaign, said: “It’s really worrying, because if this [set of LTNs] does get taken out, it will be the first time that a Low Traffic Neighbourhood has been taken out against the wishes of residents, against the wishes of businesses, against the wishes of the police, local hospitals and GPs.”

A TfL spokesperson told LTT: “Walking and cycling infrastructure, including Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, plays an important role in making our streets safer and enabling more active travel across London. Decisions on schemes such as these are a matter for local councils, but we are carefully considering any implications for TfL-funded borough schemes."

LTT has asked Tower Hamlets when it plans to reopen Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road, and Arnold Circus, how much will it cost to remove the schemes and how this will be funded. At the time of going to press, LTT had not received a response from the council.

Lutfur Rahman welcomed the High Court’s decision describing it as a vindication the the  council followed proper procedures. “Although the May 2022 election established a democratic mandate to reopen these roads, I opted for further consultation to ensure the views of all affected residents could be considered,” he said.

The Mayor insisted that tackling the climate crisis and transitioning to a net zero borough is a “key priority for the council, including by investing £6m to improve air quality and reducing emissions by 19% in the last year alone.”

Rahman acknowledged that LTNs improve air quality in their immediate vicinity, but added: “The way they had been implemented in the borough previously pushed traffic down surrounding main roads. This led to complaints about traffic congestion increasing the air pollution on main roads and negatively impacting the health of many who live on those streets, which are predominantly working-class households.

“The gridlock traffic caused severe delays to bus services, undermining efforts to boost public transport use – a crucial part of the strategy to reduce emissions – and concerns were also raised about the impact on residents with mobility restrictions and on emergency services, including objections by the London Ambulance Service.”