In a dramatic turn of events, the contentious debate over low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in London’s Tower Hamlets borough is heading to the courtroom. Local safety activists have launched a legal challenge against Mayor Lutfur Rahman over his controversial decision to scrap three vital LTNs in the deprived area of Bethnal Green. The high-stakes case could set a precedent for how councils balance public health concerns with political pressures.
Grassroots Campaign Takes on City Hall
The legal action is spearheaded by Save Our Safer Streets (SOSS), a determined group of local residents who believe the LTNs are crucial for protecting vulnerable children from dangerous levels of air pollution and heavy traffic. Undeterred by the mayor’s intransigence, SOSS has taken the extraordinary step of crowdfunding nearly £80,000 to cover their legal fees, demonstrating the depth of community support for the cause.
We have asked to meet the mayor and talk many times, but he has refused to meet us. This is despite over 3,000 people signing a petition to keep the LTNs.
– Jane Harris, SOSS spokesperson
The two-day hearing, set to begin on Wednesday, will see a judge scrutinize whether Mayor Rahman broke the law by ignoring government guidance, running a flawed consultation process, and failing to properly consider the £2.5 million cost of removing the LTNs. The campaigners argue that the safer street layouts have already delivered tangible benefits for the community.
Broad Coalition Backs Cleaner Air
SOSS has garnered widespread support from local institutions who recognize the LTNs’ positive impact. Barts NHS health trust has written to the mayor outlining the severe public health risks posed by removing the schemes, noting that Tower Hamlets residents are exposed to some of the worst air quality in London despite many not owning cars. Schools have also rallied behind the cause, with five headteachers issuing an impassioned open letter urging Rahman to preserve the safer streets.
The stakes are particularly high for disadvantaged children like Shaheena’s five kids, who attend schools within an LTN zone. “Something beautiful has been created in our community, and I’m so sad to think it could be taken away,” she lamented, fearing that heavy traffic will force her special needs son to stay cooped up indoors due to the noise and danger.
Mayor Faces Backlash Over “Undemocratic” Move
Rahman, who was elected on an independent ticket last May following a 5-year ban for electoral fraud, insists he has a mandate to remove the LTNs based on his campaign manifesto. He argues the closures have hurt working people and simply shifted congestion to more vulnerable areas. However, critics accuse him of playing “culture war” politics and pandering to a vocal minority of drivers over the wider community’s wellbeing.
Transport for London (TfL) has notably joined the legal action as an “interested party”, suggesting that City Hall also has grave concerns about the mayor’s unilateral move. A TfL spokesperson pointedly stated that councils must follow proper processes before changing key walking and cycling infrastructure.
Ruling Could Have Far-Reaching Impact
While Tower Hamlets council remains bullish about its chances in court, the outcome of the judicial review could have major ramifications beyond the borough’s boundaries. A victory for the campaigners may embolden similar grassroots movements pushing back against the removal of LTNs and bike lanes in other parts of the capital and across the UK.
As cities grapple with the urgent need to reduce emissions and promote active travel, the case serves as a microcosm of the tensions between bold public health interventions and the perennial pressures of local politics. Wednesday’s court hearing promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to reclaim Britain’s streets from the dominance of cars, with the health of the next generation hanging in the balance.
