Right now, the LTN remains in place, pending a new, proper consultation. The council has to go back to the drawing board. That means more surveys, more leaflet drops, and—if you’re unlucky—more arguments on Nextdoor.
But here’s the part I find laugh-out-loud ironic: the same people who fought for the LTN are now fighting to keep it. And the same people who hated it are now shouting, “We told you so!” Everyone is exhausted, and the bollards are still there, sitting smugly.
You have to admire the sheer Britishness of it all. We’ve turned a traffic scheme into a high-stakes legal drama. Who needs Netflix when you have a local planning dispute?
The Real Winners (And Losers)
So, who actually wins here? Not the residents who wanted quieter streets—they got a false start. Not the drivers who got fined for using "rat runs"—they got a legal headache. The real winner might be the lawyer who took this case to court. (Always bet on the lawyer, right?)
And the losers? Honestly, it’s common sense. We could have had a reasonable compromise six months ago. Instead, we got unlawful orders and finger-pointing.
I’m not saying we should scrap all LTNs. But if you’re going to redesign a neighbourhood, maybe don’t do it in a way that breaks the law? Just a thought. (I know, crazy idea.)
High Court orders Labour council to scrap “unlawful” low traffic
