TfL has successfully appealed a court decision that had ruled its Bishopsgate Streetspace scheme “unlawful” earlier this year.
The Court of Appeal this week overturned the High Court’s ruling from January that deemed TfL had “taken advantage of the pandemic” when it introduced the scheme during the first lockdown in May 2020.
Under the scheme, licensed taxis are restricted from entering the key A10 Bishopsgate thoroughfare between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, which a judge had called “unfair” to the industry in the initial ruling.
But following the successful appeal this week, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the new ruling is a “vindication” of his and TfL’s healthy streets policies.
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Mr Khan said: “Our world-leading Streetspace schemes are helping protect the health of Londoners, and this decision reinforces my determination to make it safer and easier for Londoners to walk and cycle, and to help ensure a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.
“The Judges’ decision, along with the vote from Londoners on May 6th, is a double mandate allowing us to continue with our bold measures. Our changes to Bishopsgate make it safer for people walking and cycling.
“This central London scheme is the centrepiece of the work we have done across the capital during my first term. Recent data from TfL demonstrates its success, with 700 bikes per hour on average passing through the area at peak times – more than 11 bikes per minute.”
The High Court ruling in January had been seen as a significant obstacle to TfL’s plans to introduce more cycle lanes and traffic calming measures to the capital, but with the appeal now successful, Sadiq Khan has called on local councils to work with him to “ensure we have a green recovery” in London.
As part of the Government’s £1.08 billion emergency funding deal for TfL agreed earlier this month, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps specified that TfL must set aside £100 million to continue delivering healthy streets and active travel programmes.
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