Croydon Council to Refund Drivers After Illegal Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes
Drivers in south London are set to receive refunds of up to £180 after six permanent Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes were ruled illegal by the High Court. Croydon Council has confirmed it will not appeal the judgement and has abolished the schemes, with Mayor Jason Perry stating they will "not be returning."
High Court Finds Schemes Unlawfully Introduced
The court found that the six LTN schemes across Croydon were unlawfully implemented, with the dominant purpose being to raise revenue for the council rather than to improve road safety or environmental conditions. In his ruling, Mr Justice Pepperall stated: "Taking the relatively modest benefits of the schemes into account… I am satisfied… that the dominant purpose… was the need to safeguard the revenue raised by enforcement."
The schemes, which were introduced in May 2020, used automatic number plate recognition cameras to issue fines of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within two weeks. Motorists caught under these schemes will now be eligible to claim their money back following the court's decision.
Affected Streets and Council Response
The six streets impacted by the illegal LTN schemes are:
- Albert Road
- Dalmally Road
- Elmers Road
- Holmesdale Road
- Parsons Mead
- Sutherland Road
All physical barriers on these streets will be removed, and enforcement activities have ceased. Mayor Jason Perry defended the council's decision, noting that the LTNs were introduced before his election and that his administration had never been a supporter of them. "Whilst I'm mayor, these LTNs will not be returning," he affirmed.
Political Criticism and Financial Implications
Croydon's Labour Party leader Stuart King criticized the situation, calling it a "latest financial fiasco" by Mayor Perry. He highlighted previous financial issues, including a "misstatement" of £15 million in costs, the loss of a reportedly £22 million asset sale, and the need for the highest-ever government bailout to balance the budget.
The ruling underscores the legal requirement for traffic regulations to prioritize safety and environmental benefits over revenue generation, setting a precedent for how LTN schemes should be implemented and enforced in the future.
