Huge boost for London cyclists after judges back Sadiq Khan’s scheme

Sadiq Khan’s decision to close roads in London for a pandemic cycling scheme was lawful, the Court of Appeal has ruled, which could pave the way for an expansion of the “low-traffic neighbourhoods” plan.

Lord Justice Bean and two other justices overturned a January High Court judgment, which determined that Transport for London’s (TfL) measures should be “substantially amended”. An explanation of their ruling will be published soon, they said.

In the earlier hearing, Mrs Justice Lang had sided with two taxi groups, the United Trade Action Group (UTAG) and the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), which disputed the legality of the mayor’s “Streetspace” plan. Under this scheme, pavements were made wider and temporary cycle lanes were created.

Mrs Justice Lang also ruled against a traffic management order which imposed week-day restrictions on taxi access on the A10 in the City of London. She called both decisions “seriously flawed” and accused political leaders of taking “advantage of the pandemic” to push through the measures.

Challenging this judgment in the Court of Appeal, TfL and Mr Khan successfully argued that the changes were designed to reduce traffic and encourage more socially-friendly forms of transport, such as walking and cycling. Large planters and numberplate cameras are among some of the deterrents used to try to keep traffic down on some London streets.

Referring to the A10 order, their lawyer Ben Jaffey QC said on Tuesday: “[The policy] placed higher value on the public health benefits of enabling safer walking and cycling and reducing bus congestion and journey times and therefore infection risks.

“The greater benefit, for the greatest number, was TfL’s lawful public health objective.”

The UTAG and LTDA will be allowed to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision.

Mr Khan celebrated the court’s judgment on Wednesday by describing it as a “vindication of our policies”, adding that it strengthened his determination “to help ensure a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic”.

The mayor said: “The judges’ decision, along with the vote from Londoners on May 6, is a double mandate allowing us to continue with our bold measures.

“I hope councils will work with me to ensure we have a green recovery across our city, delivering policies that address the air quality and climate change crisis,” he concluded.

His latest comments come after he told The Independent in late April that the “vocal minority” who challenged his traffic reduction efforts would not stop him acting in the best interests of Londoners.

Local authorities in towns and cities across the country also introduced new cycles schemes early in the pandemic, leading to hundreds of major road changes and temporary traffic bans.