A High Court judge has ruled that Lambeth council earned more than £1 million in fines from an unlawful Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) in just six months. The council collected £1,080,580 from penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued to drivers who entered streets suddenly closed as part of the controversial West Dulwich LTN, introduced in October.
Deputy Judge Tim Smith ruled the council had acted unlawfully by introducing the scheme and unfairly ignoring residents’ concerns that it could cause more pollution and congestion, says the Standard.
Campaigners from the West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG), representing local residents and businesses, are now calling for Lambeth to refund motorists fined since the scheme began.
A WDAG spokesperson said:
“As the LTN has been declared unlawful, there can be no possible justification for Lambeth to keep the fines collected since September last year, and so they should be refunded.”
The group became the first residents’ organisation to successfully challenge an LTN in court. Their victory may lead to the scheme being scrapped.
Deputy Judge Smith said Lambeth council was guilty of a “serious failing” after it ignored an “impressive” report by campaigners, which warned the closures could worsen congestion and pollution in the area. He also criticised Lambeth for providing a “masterclass in selective partial reporting” after it emerged that the council failed to properly record public consultation responses on the scheme.
In response to the High Court ruling, Lambeth council said it had “acknowledged” the decision and was “carefully considering the implications of the judgement”.
A Lambeth council spokesman said:
“Lambeth council has introduced a trial neighbourhood scheme in West Dulwich to make streets safer, create new community spaces and support people to walk and cycle around the area. We have thoroughly engaged with and listened to the local community throughout the development of these proposals, and provided opportunities for residents and businesses to feed back. We ask that all road users follow the law so they do not get a fine.”
(Pic: TfL)
