A High Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge against the construction of Boris Johnson’s £47m east-west cycle superhighway.
To build the superhighway, and a second north-south route, Transport for London has altered the road layout to create a segregated safe space for cyclists, reducing the amount of space available for motor vehicles.
Some motorist groups have claimed that journey times for car users will increase as a result, but TfL says it’s right to ensure cyclists can get around safely.
The challenge was brought by the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association which argued TfL needed planning permission for the route and that proceeding without permission was “a breach of planning control”.
TfL insists the routes are “works of improvement” which it is entitled to carry out to ensure the safe use of its roads.
Mrs Justice Patterson rejected the LTDA’s challenge, although she did say other cycle routes may need permission, adding that “each scheme will need to be judged on its own facts.”
Commenting on the Judge’s ruling, Andrew Gilligan, the mayor’s cycling commissioner, said: “Once again, the courts have in the clearest terms upheld our right to improve London for cycling.”
