Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lambeth Labour council has failed to refund up to £1.4m in fines issued to drivers in an unlawful low-traffic neighbourhood, sparking outrage.
A High Court judge ruled in May that Lambeth Council had illegally implemented the West Dulwich LTN, disregarding the “legitimate” worries of locals that it would worsen air quality and increase traffic.
Due to the verdict, the South London Council was forced to shut down the LTN and return about £1.5 million that it had earned from the program, which prohibited drivers from driving outside of the city.
The “total income generated from the scheme is £1,465,875.96, including income refunded and left for the refund,” according to a freedom of information request.
Just 1,662 penalty charge notices totaling £126,715 had been reimbursed by September 26.
A spokesman for the West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG), made up of residents and businesses who successfully fought the LTN, which was introduced in September last year, said:
“Other councils, including Southwark and Hackney, have accepted responsibility and refunded motorists when their fines were ruled unlawful.
Lambeth’s failure to do the same is unacceptable. At the very least, those motorists whose details are still on record should have already been repaid. Had Lambeth acted promptly when the judgment was issued, far more people would have had their money back by now.
Instead, once again we are forced to hold Lambeth to account. They repeatedly tell residents that schemes are imposed ‘for our own good’, but this handling of refunds shows quite the opposite.”
The London High Courts of Justice had heard that after citizens got “hostile” during a public hearing in a library in 2023 about the LTN proposals, Lambeth council employees were granted “wellbeing” days off.
Due to locals’ “relentless” resistance to the plan, the meeting turned into a “shambolic fiasco,” and legal documents disclosed that personnel needed a “lunch break” to regain their calm.
It was discovered that the council disregarded WDAG’s own consultation, which revealed that 67% of locals opposed the plan, arguing that it would negatively impact businesses, traffic safety, and air quality.
A Lambeth council spokesman said:
“We continue to refund fines, and have set out a clear process that will remain open to anyone affected for the foreseeable future.”
The spokesperson stated that since the data is erased after six months, it was not feasible to automatically reimburse the drivers who had been punished.
What legal steps have WDAG taken to recover motorists’ fines?
WDAG initiated legal proceedings through the High Court, which declared the LTN unlawful and required it to be removed immediately.
The ruling also ordered the council to pay WDAG £35,000 in legal costs, thereby solidifying their legal position on making compensation claims.
WDAG has made a formalized demand, both publicly and privately, that a refund of fines taken from motorists who were penalized for travelling into the unlawful LTN is issued by Lambeth Council.
They have made Freedom of Information requests and will continue to apply pressure through the legal process, and on public and media platforms, to ensure the council is held accountable in regard to the timeline for issuing refunds.