Six Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in south London, which were ruled unlawful by the High Court last month, generated £7.2 million in revenue over two years, according to figures obtained by the Daily Mail. Croydon's LTNs were quashed after a judge determined that their primary purpose was to raise money rather than reduce traffic.
Background on LTNs
LTNs are designed to reduce traffic in residential areas by using cameras, planters, or lockable bollards to prevent cars from passing through. However, Croydon's zones were declared unlawful as Mr Justice Pepperall stated to the council: 'I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the dominant purpose for these orders making the schemes permanent was the need to safeguard the revenue raised by enforcement.'
Revenue Details
The figures reveal that Croydon Council made £7,210,328.18 from the six LTNs between March 2024 and February 2026. This averages out to approximately £300,000 each month, with the highest intake in April 2024, when the council earned over £480,000 from the zones.
Council Response
Croydon Council stated that motorists can now claim refunds via the council website but did not commit to returning the full revenue generated from the LTNs. The borough currently has no active LTNs after the six unlawful zones were withdrawn.
Community Reaction
Karen Lawrence, who led the legal action against the LTNs, told the Mail: 'These closures had such a big impact on my movement around Croydon. I am so glad the courts vindicated what we all thought these were truly about… money.' The resident group Open Our Roads, of which Ms Lawrence is a part, expressed shock at the full extent of Croydon's revenue-raising from the LTNs. A spokesperson said: 'The figures quoted suggest they were not performing their stated objectives, given the high level of enforcement revenue, but we are pleased the current administration has swiftly put processes in place to refund the fines wrongfully taken.'
Political Reactions
Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden commented: 'Labour's war on drivers is at its very worst when councils are unlawfully imposing LTNs and snaffling millions from ordinary drivers trying to get on with their lives. Local businesses are cut off, emergency services delayed, and families stuck in traffic – all so Labour councils can chase revenue and pretend it's about the environment.' A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the department is 'absolutely on the side of drivers' and emphasized that money raised from enforcement is strictly ringfenced and councils must ensure any LTNs are lawful and shaped with local communities.
High Court Judgement
In the High Court judgement, Mr Justice Pepperall cited evidence of Croydon's Conservative mayor Jason Perry criticizing the schemes while in opposition. Mr Perry had stated he would like to remove all LTNs on his first day in office. However, after being elected in May 2022, the judge noted that Mr Perry's view changed due to financial considerations. The court's judgement said Mr Perry 'didn't think he was in a position to remove the schemes because the previous administration had predicated their budgets on assumed income from the schemes'. Mr Perry later said: 'I did not at any point say that I would remove all the [LTNs] because I just knew it was not a pledge that I could uphold... any future schemes coming forward should not be based on fining residents in order to achieve it.'
Council Financial Background
Croydon Council has effectively declared bankruptcy three times since 2020, the same year it trialled LTNs before making them permanent in 2024. In August, Labour quietly dropped plans to limit the introduction of LTNs and 20mph zones, a move dubbed a 'secret war on drivers'. The reforms, drawn up by the Tories, would have curbed councils' power to restrict traffic and impose 'unfair' fines and parking charges, but ministers dismissed the proposals, saying they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'.
