Key Points
- Residents have launched a legal challenge to save three low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in east London from removal.
- The challenge follows a failed High Court bid against Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman in December 2024.
- Over £100,000 has been crowdfunded by nearly 2,000 supporters to finance the Court of Appeal case.
- The LTNs are located in Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road, and Arnold Circus, introduced in 2021 under former Labour mayor John Biggs.
- Lutfur Rahman, leader of the Aspire party, was re-elected in 2022 with a pledge to “reopen the roads” by removing LTNs.
- The appeal rests on three grounds: unfair consultation, failure to consider the borough’s local implementation plan (LIP), and procedural errors.
- The LTNs feature cycle lanes, pocket parks, seating areas, and large planters restricting through traffic on residential streets.
- Removing the LTNs could cost Tower Hamlets Council approximately £2.5 million.
- Jane Harris, a local campaigner, stated the case has “London-wide implications” and emphasised the legal, financial, and public safety concerns.
- Transport for London (TfL) funds LIP schemes aligned with Mayor Sadiq Khan’s citywide strategy aimed at reducing car use.
- Prior to the schemes, Old Bethnal Green Road experienced heavy traffic, including lorries passing four primary schools.
- Since the LTNs’ introduction, road injuries have sharply decreased and antisocial behaviour in Arnold Circus has declined.
- Ricardo Gama, legal representative of the Save Our Safer Streets campaign, criticised Aspire for failing to consult fairly and revise the LIP properly.
Why are the low traffic neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets under legal threat?
Residents in Tower Hamlets have taken their fight to the Court of Appeal to prevent the removal of three low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in east London, which they say have improved road safety and community wellbeing. The LTNs, located at Old Bethnal Green Road, Columbia Road, and Arnold Circus, were introduced in 2021 by then Mayor John Biggs to reduce traffic volumes in residential streets and encourage walking and cycling.
Jane Harris, a prominent local campaigner, explained to the Evening Standard that the appeal challenges the decision by Mayor Lutfur Rahman—who leads the Aspire party and was re-elected in 2022 on a platform promising to “reopen the roads”—on legal grounds. The campaigners allege that Rahman did not conduct a fair consultation about the changes, failed to adhere to the borough’s local implementation plan (LIP) aligned with Transport for London (TfL) funding criteria, and did not follow the correct procedural steps during the removal process.
Harris stressed:
“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.”
How much support has the Save Our Safer Streets campaign rallied?
According to Tom White of the Evening Standard, the Save Our Safer Streets campaign has successfully raised over £100,000 through 1,918 donations from concerned residents and supporters. This crowdfunding effort marks a “last resort” attempt to sustain the LTNs, which have become a focal point of local controversy since Rahman’s mayoral win on a reversal agenda.
Ricardo Gama, a partner at Leigh Day representing the campaign, stated:
“Our clients are looking forward to arguing in court that, not only have Aspire not stuck to that promise of fair consultation, they have failed to go through the proper process of revising the Local Implementation Plan that the borough agreed with the Mayor of London.”
What are the benefits and features of the existing LTNs?
The LTNs in question incorporated physical measures such as large planters, cycle lanes, seating areas, and pocket parks designed to prevent through-traffic on residential streets, thereby reducing pollution, noise, and road danger.
Before the schemes were introduced, Old Bethnal Green Road experienced daily traffic levels exceeding 8,000 vehicles, including heavy lorries, which posed risks especially as the road passes four primary schools. Since the introduction of LTNs, serious road injuries have been “virtually eliminated,” while Arnold Circus saw a notable reduction in antisocial behaviour, which had previously included late-night “car bars” with loud music and drinking.
Jane Harris highlighted the broader community benefits:
“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.”
How costly would removing the LTNs be for Tower Hamlets Council?
Reports by the Evening Standard revealed that dismantling the LTNs could cost the council approximately £2.5 million. This money would be required to reinstate original road layouts and redesign configurations removed under Rahman’s plans.
Harris criticised this potential waste of public funds, stating:
“It would be harmful for residents’ health and safety, an appalling waste of £2.5 million of public money and would make a mockery of the mayor’s claim to be a ‘listening Mayor’.”
How do the LTNs fit into wider London transport policy?
Transport for London’s Local Implementation Plan funding supports schemes aligning with the citywide strategies led by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who aims to encourage walking, cycling, and lower car dependency.
Jane Harris pointed out the significance of the case for London-wide transport policy, noting:
“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.”
TfL’s strategic priorities encourage LTNs as part of the broader effort to create safer, greener neighbourhoods free from traffic dominance.
What is Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s stance on the LTNs and the legal challenge?
While Mayor Rahman campaigned in 2022 on promises to remove the controversial LTNs, he has maintained that reopening the roads supports local residents and businesses frustrated by traffic displacement. The mayor has defended his rollout of consultations regarding the removal but, as reported by the Evening Standard, the Save Our Safer Streets campaign disputes the fairness and legality of those consultations.
No direct official response from Mayor Rahman was available in the sources for this story; however, campaigners emphasise their hope that he will still engage with local stakeholders and TfL to devise a compromise that retains the LTNs’ benefits while addressing concerns.
What happens next in the Court of Appeal and for the LTNs in Tower Hamlets?
The Court of Appeal acknowledged the case raises new and important public interest issues and saw a “realistic prospect of success,” according to campaigners.
If successful, this legal challenge could halt immediate plans to remove the LTNs and force the council to restart consultation and planning processes under stricter legal scrutiny.
Leigh Day partner Ricardo Gama summarised the campaign’s position:
“Aspire have failed to stick to their manifesto promise on consultation and have mismanaged the statutory processes for reviewing the borough’s transport plans.”
The legal outcome could have ramifications not just locally but potentially across London, influencing how borough councils approach LTNs, consultation obligations, and collaboration with citywide transport policies.
