Tower Hamlets Council's attempt to remove three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) has been blocked following a court ruling.

The council had purportedly campaigned to remove the LTNs in Bethnal Green, Shoreditch and Columbia Road, with the mayor, Lutfur Rahman, leading the movement to abandon the schemes after winning a previous high court ruling last December.

However, road safety activists from Save our Safer Streets (Soss) had opposed the council’s decision, arguing that the benefits of calmer streets are widely appreciated by residents.

It is reported that a Court of Appeal ruling has since confirmed that in its attempts to axe the LTNs, the council had breached its local implementation plan (LIP) duty, which outlines how London boroughs will achieve the aims of the Mayor’s transport strategy.

Lord Justice Singh, Lord Justice Arnold and Lord Justice Miles are said to have ruled that the council had neglected to take the LIP into consideration and that the decision to remove the schemes would be unlawful, according to the BBC.

Responding to the verdict, Ted Maxwell of Soss said that ‘thousands of local residents will be extremely pleased and relieved’.

He added: ‘This is a victory for local people who came together when they saw that their community stood to lose the safer streets they really value.

‘This means the Mayor of Tower Hamlets must now accept that our safer streets are here to stay and he should look for a better use of £2.5m of public funds.’

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: ‘We are disappointed with the ruling, not least because previously the courts have ruled in our favour.

‘We will review the judgment, which has significant implications across London, and we will be seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.’

A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Walking and cycling infrastructure, such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, plays an important role in making our streets safer and encouraging more active travel across London.

‘We are very pleased with the court's decision in this case, which provides welcome clarity on the scope of London boroughs’ legal duties to implement and retain schemes funded by TfL to implement the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.’