Unlawful LTN takes £1m from motorists
An unlawful low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) banked a Labour council more than £1 million in fines from motorists in just six months.
Lambeth council made £1,080,580 from penalty charge notices (PCNs) after closing roads last October as part of the controversial West Dulwich LTN.
On Friday, a judge ruled that the council had acted unlawfully by creating the LTN and then unfairly ignoring residents' legitimate concerns that it would cause more pollution and traffic congestion.
Now, campaigners are demanding that the council pays back money it has banked from the south London scheme following the High Court ruling.
A freedom of information request showed that the LTN was raising more than £180,000 a month from fines issued to motorists who had entered roads suddenly closed to them.
The West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG), which comprises residents and businesses, opposed to the scheme, saying: 'As the LTN has been declared unlawful, there can be no possible justification for Lambeth to keep the fines collected since September last year, and so they should be refunded.'
Tim Smith, the deputy judge, said Lambeth was guilty of a 'serious failing' after it ignored an 'impressive' report produced by campaigners that warned the LTN street could lead to increased congestion and pollution.
He also found the local authority had given a 'masterclass in selective partial reporting' after a council document failed to record public consultation on the scheme.
WDAG became the first residents' organisation to win a legal battle over an LTN. The ruling, which has proven embarrassing for Lambeth council, could now mean the LTN will be scrapped.
LTNs involve closing residential roads to some traffic and fining motorists who stray into the zone. A PCN has just risen from £130 to £160 in the borough, but a lower charge can be paid if the fine is settled in a couple of weeks.
Critics claim the schemes simply force congestion onto invariably busier boundary roads, causing gridlock and more pollution.
The council has 'acknowledged' the court's decision and said it was 'carefully considering the implications of the judgement'.
It has raised millions in fines from LTNs it has introduced in an apparent attempt to tackle climate change as well as promote 'active travel' such as walking and cycling.
A Lambeth council spokesman said: 'Lambeth Council has introduced a trial neighbourhood scheme in West Dulwich to make streets safer, create new community spaces and support people to walk and cycle around the area.
'We have thoroughly engaged with – and listened to - the local community throughout the development of these proposals, and provided opportunities for residents and businesses to feed back. We ask that all road users follow the law so they do not get a fine.'
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'They think nothing of smashing up a taxi or hanging around shops intimidating people or causing trouble. 'They just roam around, causing chaos and there's nothing really to stop them. 'A lot of it comes down to parenting. People are having kids, who shouldn't. They don't know how to raise them or discipline them.' She added: 'When we were kids, we had stuff to do. We had a youth centre where for 20p, you could get in, play pool, football, do art - it kept us off the streets. 'Now there's nothing. No youth clubs, no support. The funding's all been cut. The estate's just been forgotten about - just left to rot. There's no hope for a lot of the kids. 'I've lived here 30 years. No one's ever started on me, but I keep to myself. If you carry yourself right, you're usually okay. But it's intimidating for newcomers.' When MailOnline visited the estate at dusk, the chaos was already in full swing. Teenagers raced scooters across the estate, popping wheelies with their faces covered. 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His daughter, who grew up on the estate but was 'thankful' to have since moved away, added: 'The good news is burglaries and car thefts have come down. 'The bad news is you're more likely to be stabbed or murdered.' A building which appears to have been left abandoned projects the idea that the estate has been left to rot When MailOnline visited the area a smashed window was spotted with a seemingly broken chair left dumped on top of a building Myles Duffy, 57, has lived in Holme Wood all his life. He said: 'There's always something going on. 'It's mainly based around the shops. It's all the young ones - they've not grown up and there's nowt for them. 'I don't really get bothered but you still hear about a lot of carry-on. 'I feel a bit sorry for them because they've got nothing to do. 'That's when they turn to crime, or drugs, or whatever else. It's not right, but that's the reality. 'Loads of young girls end up getting pregnant just so they can get a flat and some benefits. 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