Labour council forced to remove Low Traffic Neighbourhood after losing legal battle with residents

Reports suggest the council must now pay £35,000 in legal fees to campaigners who successfully challenged the controversial traffic restrictions.

This marks the first time courts have shut down an LTN after residents mounted a legal challenge. The West Dulwich Action Group, which brought the case, is now demanding the council refund more than £1million collected in fines during the scheme's operation.

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Justice Smith rejected the council's appeal against a May ruling, ordering the immediate removal of the traffic restrictions. He criticised the authority for attempting to "revoke" the scheme rather than having it "quashed" by the court.

The judge's original ruling in May found Lambeth Council guilty of a "serious failing" after it ignored an "impressive" 53-page dossier compiled by residents.

The document warned that the street closures could lead to increased congestion and pollution on boundary roads, affecting thousands of school and nursery children.

The judge said the presentation was "highly relevant to the decision confronting officers" and that "the failure to have regard to it was a serious failing, rendering the decision to make the orders unlawful".

The judge also found the council had given a "masterclass in selective partial reporting" after a council document failed to record how a public consultation had prompted "hostility" from residents.

Court evidence revealed a startling 67 per cent of consultation respondents were "either unhappy or very unhappy with what was proposed."

The opposition group mounted their legal challenge after claiming the street closures had increased traffic and pollution on roads bordering the zone.

The group represented local residents and businesses affected by the scheme, including several residents' associations.

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During formal and informal consultations, WDAG has called on Lambeth to clarify whether it will refund the fines, stating: "This is not just about legality, it's about fairness and public trust. If the law was broken, the money should be paid back."

The group warned the council against pursuing the case further at the Court of Appeal, saying it would "further waste taxpayers' money and signal that its priority is protecting revenue, not engaging with the community it serves".

A WDAG spokesperson said: "This ruling sends a clear signal to all councils nationwide: communities will no longer tolerate top-down, poorly conceived schemes that ignore local input, which prioritise revenue over real solutions to issues like pollution.

"It's a wake-up call to councils everywhere: to not impose blanket schemes ignoring genuine concerns and issues, and to work with your communities."

Lambeth Council confirmed today that it would comply with the court order, with a spokesperson stating: "The High Court has ordered the removal of West Dulwich Street Improvements. No further fines will be issued, and we are removing the scheme as soon as it can be done safely."

The council maintained its original intentions, with deputy leader Rezina Chowdhury explaining that the LTN was implemented to reduce road danger and create a neighbourhood where “residents can live safer, happier and healthier lives".

She added: "This was part of our overall ambition to reduce road danger, encourage more active and sustainable travel, and improve air quality for communities across our borough."

The council said it was "carefully considering the implications of this judgment" while confirming the scheme would be dismantled.