Lambeth Council Yet to Refund Majority of Unlawful LTN Fines Despite Court Ruling

Lambeth Council has refunded less than 10% of the nearly £1.5 million it collected in fines from drivers using a now-unlawful Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme in West Dulwich, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Data cited by The Telegraph reveals that the council issued a total of £1,465,875.96 in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)while the scheme was in operation. However, as of 26 September, only 1,662 fines — amounting to just £126,715 — had been reimbursed.

The fines were issued under the West Dulwich LTN, which was ruled unlawful by the High Court in May. The judge found that the council had failed to follow proper procedures during the implementation of the scheme, leading to its invalidation and subsequent removal.

Campaigners Accuse Council of Delaying Refunds

Local residents and campaigners have criticised the council for the slow pace of refunds, pointing to other boroughs that have responded more quickly after similar rulings.

In a statement to The Telegraph, the West Dulwich Action Group 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.”

Council Maintains Refunds Are Ongoing

A spokesperson for Lambeth Council responded to the criticism, stating:

“We continue to refund fines, and have set out a clear process that will remain open to anyone affected for the foreseeable future.”

The council has not confirmed how long it expects the process to take or how it is actively reaching out to affected motorists, some of whom may no longer reside in the borough or have changed vehicles since receiving their PCNs.

Background: LTNs and Legal Challenges

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are designed to reduce through-traffic on residential streets and promote active travel such as walking and cycling. They have been rolled out by multiple councils in recent years, often under temporary or experimental orders during the pandemic.

While many schemes remain in place, several have been subject to legal challenges, with courts finding fault in councils' consultation processes, impact assessments, or statutory compliance.

In Lambeth’s case, the High Court ruling in May found that the authority had failed to meet the legal requirements for introducing the West Dulwich LTN, rendering any fines issued under it invalid.