Tower Hamlets LTN Scheme Lawsuit – Mayor’s Actions Questioned

The mayor of Tower Hamlets acted unlawfully ​in attempting to remove three low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes, the court of appeal ruled today.

Road safety activists are celebrating the decision after a more than three-year campaign to preserve the traffic restrictions in the⁤ east London neighborhoods of Bethnal Green, Shoreditch​ and Columbia Road. The ruling overturns a previous high court decision from December that had favored Mayor Lutfur Rahman.

Rahman campaigned ⁤on a promise to eliminate the LTNs, arguing they hindered working-class residents who depend on cars. His manifesto pledged to⁤ “reopen our roads, and abolish the failed liveable⁤ Streets scheme,‌ which has seen emergency services and ‍vulnerable residents’ access blocked.”

However, campaigners maintained ​the ltns benefited‌ the community, garnering support from local‌ NHS trusts and⁢ five school headteachers. They argued the LTNs provide “simple and cheap infrastructure which ⁣protects our public realm from the worst impacts of cars ⁢and‌ drivers’ behavior and encourages and‌ supports people who choose or have no choice but to walk, ⁤cycle or ⁣get public transport.We need to do this to⁢ support vulnerable members of our society, to reduce isolation, to improve safety and accessibility.”