Campaigners take LTN challenge to Royal Courts of Justice

A campaign group has called on the High Court to scrap a council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN).

The West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG) presented its application for a judicial review of Lambeth council’s LTN in West Dulwich, at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand yesterday.

If successful, the WDAG’s campaign will be the first to win a court battle to force a council to U-turn on an LTN.

The group has accused the council of “disregarding” public opinion after implementing the plan in September 2024, despite widespread disapproval.

Legal documents reveal that 67.5 per cent of consulted residents were “unhappy” or “very unhappy” with the proposal. 

Despite this, the council pushed forward with an 18-month trial of the scheme, which aims to reduce traffic and pollution in residential areas.

The Department for Transport’s guidance on LTNs states that LTNs should only be introduced “where there is strong evidence of local support”.

Therefore WDAG, made up of almost more than 600 residents and business owners, is seeking to overturn the LTN through legal action which argues that the council has gone against government direction.

The group raised around £50,000 after setting up a fundraiser to support the court challenge against the council.

The LTN is one of three projects being proposed by the council in the West Dulwich area. The other two proposals are a West Dulwich Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and a Brockwell Park to Gipsy Hill Healthy Route extension. 

The local authority says all three measures are needed for the council to make Lambeth healthier and safer, especially for children, the vulnerable and the elderly.

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “Lambeth has some of the country’s most polluted air, lacks outdoor space for exercise and socialising for the many people who live in flats, and dangerous roads resulting in too many people getting injured.

“The West Dulwich street improvements project supports these aims, and was created in response to business and residents’ appeals.”

But, WSAG claims that the LTN will increase traffic and pollution by pushing cars into boundary roads – such as the South Circular where more than 6,000 children attend schools and nurseries.

The council spokesman said: “The trial follows community discussions about the scheme’s design and was significantly changed based on feedback.

“We have thoroughly engaged with the community throughout, and there are formal opportunities for feedback during the current trial.”

The hearing continues.

Pictured top: Almira Mohamed and fellow anti-LTN campaigners at the Royal Court of Justice yesterday (Picture: David rose)