Council officers got leave after facing anger from residents about a new traffic plan in Dulwich.
The West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG) brought the case, claiming Lambeth Council did not consult them fairly. WDAG includes locals and businesses.
The council claims they consulted extensively and that the claims are untrue. The council is run by the Labour party.
WDAG wants the court to cancel the traffic rules, saying most locals opposed the changes. The rules started last year.
Council members argue the LTN will cut traffic and reduce accidents there.
LTNs use cameras and fines to limit traffic. Some use flower beds or bollards as barriers to deter drivers.
Critics claim LTNs hurt air quality by moving traffic to roads surrounding LTNs, creating more congestion.
Besides LTNs, the council has a parking plan that gives few spaces to many businesses. They also want a bike lane, called a ‘healthy route,’ which residents call dangerous.
A meeting about the plans got heated, with councillors crying during it back in 2023. Residents showed anger and hostility.
Heather Sargent represents Lambeth Council. She said the meeting in 2022 was very hostile and that people were angry about the LTN.
The meeting was called a “shambolic fiasco” and also described as a “debacle.”
Charles Streeten represents WDAG in court. He said the meeting had no feedback system, with people scribbling notes, if anything at all.
Streeten said the council recorded only 21 responses, with most opposing the LTN during the six-hour event.
Afterward, a council leader offered staff a day off due to the meeting’s “unpleasantness.”
The email aimed “to show how much we appreciate your commitment and time.” Streeten said the council ignored opposition and still pushed their LTN plan.
He stated the council’s consultation was unfair, ignoring locals and businesses. He said business interests were not considered.
Sargent argued the council consulted a lot, using many methods over time. Regarding that library meeting, it was very difficult.
Sargent said the residents showed hostility and anger. The criticism was relentless, she explained, and some councillors started crying.
The council team took a break to escape this. The head of transport offered staff a wellness day in response to the negativity.
Almira Mohamed is a Dulwich resident and mom. She’s part of WDAG, and she attended the meeting where more than a hundred locals came and opposed the LTN plans.
Mohamed claimed people wanted to talk about problems, but the council just talked about their own LTN plans.
People asked “Who is responsible for this?” and also asked if the council lived there. Locals questioned who was noting concerns.
Mohamed said there was no one in charge, no one was taking notes or recording the event. Council papers arrived later after that mess.
She said the consultation was poorly run overall and that day showed how poorly it went.
Judge Tim Smith will decide later. His decision is expected around March of this year.