In a significant victory for road safety advocates, the Court of Appeal has ruled that the mayor of Tower Hamlets acted unlawfully in attempting to remove three low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in the borough. The decision has been hailed as a vindication of the community’s long-standing campaign to keep the traffic restrictions in place.
The case was brought to the Court of Appeal after the mayor, Lutfur Rahman, had initially won a hearing at the High Court in December 2025. Rahman had campaigned on a promise to remove the LTNs, which he claimed were barriers for working-class residents who relied on cars. However, the Court of Appeal judge ruled that Rahman did not have the power to remove the schemes, as they had been implemented as part of a traffic strategy agreed with Transport for London (TfL).
Campaigners, supported by local NHS trusts and school headteachers, argued that the LTNs provided vital protection for the public realm and encouraged sustainable modes of transport. Ted Maxwell of the Save Our Safer Streets group said the involvement of TfL was key to winning the appeal, with their barrister, Charlotte Kilroy KC, providing a “quietly devastating” performance in court.
The judge’s ruling affirmed that the LTNs were part of a larger implementation plan by TfL, and therefore outside the mayor’s authority to unilaterally remove. This decision is seen as a significant blow to Rahman’s campaign promises and a vindication of the community’s efforts to retain the traffic-calming measures.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been a vocal advocate for reducing car journeys in the capital, calling for more low-traffic streets and 20mph speed limits. A TfL spokesperson welcomed the court’s decision, stating that walking and cycling infrastructure, such as LTNs, play a crucial role in making streets safer.
Despite the ruling, Tower Hamlets Council expressed disappointment and said they would be seeking permission to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. The case has set an important precedent and is expected to have significant implications for other London boroughs seeking to implement or retain similar low-traffic schemes.
