Legal action against London boroughs over Healthy Streets initiative will ‘waste taxpayers’ money’ says Mayor

The Mayor of London has said that taking legal action against borough councils who have reversed “Healthy Streets” measures will “waste taxpayers’ money”.

Instead, Sadiq Khan has pledged to persuade councils like Tower Hamlets and Kensington and Chelsea to reconsider some of their policies, including the removal of cycle lanes.

The mayor’s comments were in response to a question from Green Party assembly member Sian Berry about boroughs that have reversed Healthy Street policies, an initiative by Transport for London to discourage Londoners from using cars and to instead walk, cycle, or use public transport.

He told London Assembly members during Mayor’s Question Time today: “Power should be devolved as local as possible.”

Mayor Khan said that he does not want to “waste taxpayers' money on lawyers and courtrooms” as they are unlikely to achieve the outcome that he wants.

Ms Berry replied by saying she was not satisfied with his response and published a letter of recommendations later.

She said: “The Mayor has the powers to be able to stand up for Healthy Streets, and it is time for him to use them.”

She said that London will not reach its goals to reduce carbon, congestion and road casualties if boroughs do not commit to Healthy Streets.

Tower Hamlets Council announced in September that they would remove their Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods, where side roads are blocked with planters or bollards to block through-routes onto main roads.

Tower Hamlets were approached for comment.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council announced in March that it would not reopen temporary cycle lanes on Kensington High Street, but in July confirmed that an advisory cycle lane would be introduced following public consultations over the summer.