What Actually Happened At The Court Of Appeal Yesterday ?

So what actually happened yesterday?

London mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) have now applied to appeal the high court ruling, that deemed their Streetspace for London Plan unlawful.

The Mayor and TfL seek to appeal the judgement against the Streetspace scheme introduced in May last year. The plan saw the implementation of bus gates, banned turns and restricted access to streets in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods across London.

It produced furious reactions from not only taxi drivers, who complained about their restricted access to some streets, but also local residents affected by the restrictions. 

In January, the High Court ruled that the mayor and TfL had acted unlawfully in their treatment of licensed taxis.

The judgement resulted from a judicial review mounted by the London taxi trade, concerning a specific Streetspace scheme, the A10 Bishopsgate Corridor in the City of London (pictured above), which removed taxi access to a key arterial route.

The court ordered that the whole plan, guidance to boroughs and the A10 Bishopsgate Traffic Order be quashed.

However, the mayor is now seeking leave to appeal the judgement on a range of grounds including the admissibility of evidence, failure to have regard to relevant considerations, the public sector equality duty, and legitimate expectation, rationality.

Lycra clad Ross Lydall of the Evening Standard obviously not bias then 😂😂

A Mayor of London spokesperson said: 'We are very disappointed by the court’s decision and have applied for permission to appeal this judgment.

'Bishopsgate has long suffered with a poor safety record and slow bus speeds, and this trial scheme aimed to tackle these issues, by reducing road danger for vulnerable road users and improving the flow of bus traffic in response to the pandemic.

'Temporary schemes like this remain vital as the pandemic continues. By supporting both walking and the huge increase in cycling we are enabling social distancing and much faster journeys on public transport, reducing the risk of infection.'

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT :

High Court judge, Justice Lang made quite clear in her decision denying an application for leave to appeal, she said “there are no clear grounds and little chance of success on appeal”.

But, this is Sadiq Khan and TfL, spending other people’s money (taxpayers).

Perhaps, Khan and TfL should focus their efforts on fixing the problems Judge Lange identified and make sure London remains open. 

Wasn’t that Khan’s laughable catch praise a couple of years ago “London’s Open”.

They also have to make sure that disabled travellers are not discriminated against. 

And also, let’s not forget that Where’s Buses Go, Taxis Go. 

TAXI LEAKS LAST WORD : goes to former UCG chairman, Len Martin. 

They have to appeal, because when the ruling finds LTNs to be illegal, all that lovely traffic fine money can be contested and reclaimed. 

They are skint and probably already spent it. Behind the scenes I bet they are bricking it. 

Because the next thing will be radio adverts.... " Were you wrongly fined for driving in a LTN? Here at Blaggit and Runn we care about how you were treated, call 0800 ambulance chasers now for the compensation claim you are entitled to."