Lambeth Council has started refunding motorists ‘more than £1 million’ in wrongful penalty charge notices (PCNs) it earned from the West Dulwich LTN, which was overturned by a judge in May.
Despite earlier suggestions it could seek to challenge the ruling, Lambeth Council has now taken down the signage and traffic cameras and created an online form where motorists can apply for a refund for PCNs issued in relation to the scheme.
Motorists are believed to have been charged £1,080,580 in fines since the introduction of the traffic monitoring cameras in February 2024.
The LTN, which Lambeth Council describes as the West Dulwich Street Improvements Scheme, was introduced in September 2024.
Angry residents took Lambeth to court this year claiming their concerns about the scheme had been ignored during consultation.
Central to the hearing was a 53-page dossier compiled by the group which contained several concerns about the LTN, including that it would worsen air pollution, displace traffic onto boundary roads and make surrounding residential streets dangerous for children.
The judgement, handed down on May 9, ruled in favour of the West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG) on the grounds that the council had failed to consider concerns raised by residents before implementing the LTN between Rosendale and Norwood Road.
LTNs prevent vehicular traffic from entering, passing through or waiting within an area by using boards or traffic signs, and can see motorists slapped with fines of up to £130. Some – such as the LTN in Dulwich Village – are only in force at specific times of the day. Others, such as the West Dulwich scheme, were in constant operation.
The council was ordered to scrap the LTN, as well as pay West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG), the group of residents which brought the challenge, £35,000 towards their legal fees.
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The council previously suggested it could seek to challenge the outcome, stating it was “carefully considering the implications” of the court’s judgement. However High Court Judge Tim Smith subsequently ordered the effect of his ruling was to require the scheme’s removal.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: “The council has delivered an ambitious and successful programme across Lambeth to make our neighbourhoods more pleasant, and roads safer, more vibrant, green and accessible.
“We remain fully committed to working with local communities to transform streets across the borough and getting on with our programme to deliver benefits for everyone.”
More positive news for those in favour of low-traffic schemes could be found in a study published last week, which revealed LTNs helped cut injuries and deaths by more than a third.
The study, based on the analysis of 113 LTNs in London and other roads which did not have them, revealed the areas where low-traffic schemes were in effect were associated with a 35 per cent reduction in all injuries, and 37 per cent fewer deaths and serious injuries.
