Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman faces High Court battle over bid to axe LTNs

A London borough mayor will be accused of “riding roughshod” over the views of thousands of residents when a landmark case about low traffic neighbourhoods reaches the High Court this week.The Save Our Safer Streets group has brought a claim against Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman after he decided in September 2023 to axe three LTN schemes in Bethnal Green.Mr Rahman was re-elected mayor on a pro-car platform in 2022 and believes the schemes displace traffic on to main roads “typically lived on by less affluent residents”.But this sparked a massive backlash in support of the LTNs, which are in Columbia Road, which houses the popular flower market, Arnold Circus, near Brick Lane, and Old Bethnal Green Road.They have remained in place pending the outcome of the hearing, which will take place over two days starting on Wednesday.More than 1,400 people have pledged more than £78,000 to fund the judicial review legal challenge.This will determine whether Mr Rahman broke the law in the way he decided to remove the LTNs.Transport for London has joined the case as an “Interested Party” and has submitted detailed evidence to the court.TfL is arguing that Tower Hamlets’ decision didn't follow the necessary legal processes and is at odds with the council’s local implementation plan which had previously been agreed with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.Tower Hamlets council has been approached for comment.