Campaigners have won a High Court victory against Lambeth council over a controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in London.
Judge Tim Smith ruled on Friday that the council's consultation on the LTN was unfair, marking a significant win for local opponents.
The campaigners had asked the court to judicially review the LTN, claiming it had been introduced with inadequate consultation.
The judge found the campaigners had succeeded in one of the three parts of their legal challenge, which could have implications for other schemes around the capital.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The council was dealt a blow after campaigners protested against the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme
PA/GETTY
Judge Smith said the council was guilty of a "masterclass in selective partial reporting" in how it reported the outcome of a library consultation.
In his 34-page judgement, the judge highlighted several shortcomings in the consultation process, the Standard reported.
These ranged from "the inconvenient", such as printing reference numbers only on envelopes, to "more significant" errors in delivering printed materials.
The ruling also noted an "apparent flaw" in the council's approach - the mistaken belief that a first consultation was "less important" because a second would follow.
The court was told there had been "considerable hostility and anger" from some residents to the scheme.
A spokesperson for the West Dulwich Action Group said: "We are delighted with today's ruling, which clearly demonstrates that Lambeth council failed to fully consider the impacts and effects of the LTN on local residents and businesses.
"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."
Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, deputy leader of Lambeth council, said the authority was considering the implications of the judgement, but the LTN would remain in place for now.
She said: "We implemented the West Dulwich Street Improvements to reduce road danger and create a neighbourhood where residents can live safer, happier and healthier lives.
"The court has allowed the claim against the West Dulwich Street Improvements on one of the three grounds of challenge, and dismissed the other two."
The "David v Goliath" challenge was crowdfunded, with more than £46,000 raised to cover legal costs, with the WDAG submitting a 53-page dossier highlighting perceived flaws in the process.
This included concerns about worsening air pollution, traffic displacement onto boundary roads and increased road danger, as well as concern that "overwhelming" levels of opposition, of about 67.5 per cent, were being ignored.
The judge also criticised the council's official notes of a public meeting, stating: "It is what it does not say that renders the reporting of the event misleading."
A public meeting in 2023 became so hostile that councillors were in tears and staff were offered "wellbeing" leave.
This ruling marks the first time that LTN opponents have won a court battle to force a council to reconsider a Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are relatively common around London
PAPrevious LTNs have been removed in other areas, but typically only after changes of political control at the relevant councils.
The West Dulwich LTN was implemented to prevent residential streets being inundated with "rat running" traffic from the South Circular Road.
