Today is a big day. We've just asked a judge to decide if Tower Hamlets council can legally go ahead with their decision to rip out our safer streets in Arnold Circus, Columbia Road and Old Bethnal Green Road. We are doing this as a last resort to keep our cycle lanes, pocket park and seating and cleaner air.
We're taking the council to court because we think they broke the law when they decided in September to rip out our safer streets. We have tried every other way we could think of to get them to rethink this decision. We asked to meet the Mayor - he didn't even visit the area to see the cycle lanes, pocket park, planters or new pavements. We collected 3094 signatures on a petition. We spoke at council meetings. We organised demonstrations outside the council offices. We have done everything other than legal action. If you want the safer streets to stay, the only option now is to back this legal fight.
If we lose this case and the council goes ahead, we will lose:
We think the Mayor went against the law in many ways when he decided in September to rip out safer streets. We believe that, amongst other things, he:
So we're asking for a judge to review this decision or in other words a 'judicial review'. At this stage we are just asking if a judge will hear the case. If they agree it's worth reviewing, that would likely happen some time in 2024. A very experienced law firm called Leigh Day and a leading barrister called David Wolfe KC are helping us to take the case.
It will cost us £45,000 to:
We think the whole process will take at least six months but we need to raise the money as soon as possible to be able to go ahead with each stage. Please donate if you can.
Over the year and a half we've been running this campaign, thousands of people have spoken up in support of keeping our safer streets.
Donate
The main thing we need now is money to pay the legal bills. Our lawyers are working at a reduced rate, which we're very grateful for. But it takes a lot of hours and a lot of paperwork to prepare for and win a case like this. Please donate if you can.
Tell your friends
Speak to your friends about the case. See if they can help or if they know any groups that can spread the word. Let us know if you know of any organisation or individual who you think might be able to make a significant donation and who you think we should approach.
Speak to local businesses
Ask a local shop to put up a poster or put one up in your flat or house if it's visible from the street. We've been to lots of local businesses already. But if you know someone who hasn't got one up, please tell us and we can get a poster to you to give to them.
Follow and share
Follow us on Twitter / X, Instagram or Facebook and share our updates with your contacts so they know about the legal case and can support us.
Thank you to everyone for all the support you've given this campaign so far. We are going to keep fighting and it is great to know you're all behind us.