Six low traffic neighbourhoods in south London introduced during Covid have been ruled “unlawful” by a High Court judge as they were illegally created to rake in millions of pounds in fines from motorists. The Mail has more.

Croydon Council, which has declared effective bankruptcy three times since 2020, has been accused of using the low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) as a “fat cash cow” to plug its financial black hole.

On Wednesday, Mr Justice Pepperall concluded the local authority used the “relatively modest” benefits of LTNs to justify the “enormous revenue” it would make in fines.

The LTNs were first trialled by Croydon Council in 2020, and were permanently put in place four years later. They aim to reduce traffic in residential areas by using cameras, planters or lockable bollards.

However, local residents who opposed the illegal schemes brought forth a judicial review on them, stating the council wanted LTNs because they were projected to bring in more than £10 million in fines.

Mr Justice Pepperall quashed the legal orders that Croydon Council had implemented to make the LTNs permanent.

In his 34-page judgment, he said: “I am satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the dominant purpose for these [traffic] orders making the schemes permanent was the need to safeguard the revenue raised by enforcement. Such purpose was unlawful, and I therefore quash the orders.”

Read More: London Council Used Six Illegally Created LTNs as “Cash Cow” to Rake in Millions From Motorists