Mayor Boris Johnson's plan for cycle superhighway linking east and west London does not have planning permission, taxi drivers told a court.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association is seeking a judicial review of the £47m Westbourne Grove to Tower Hill route, via the Victoria Embankment.
The lanes will take up space causing disruption, the High Court heard.
Transport for London (TfL) said the plan was "works of improvement" and did not need planning permission.
The two-lane cycle way across the city is set to finish in the next few months.
Steve McNamara, Licensed Taxi Drivers Association's (LTDA) general secretary, has described the scheme as Mr Johnson's "last hurrah" before leaving office in May.
Project rethink
The LTDA is asking Mrs Justice Patterson to grant a judicial review of the decision, which could force a rethink of the project.
Mark Lowe QC, for the LTDA, said construction started last April without planning permission or an environmental impact assessment (EIA) as required by the EU EIA Directive.
He urged the judge to class the project as a "development" as defined under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which was not exempt from the need for permission, more so as it was could create "significant adverse environmental effects".
Howard Carter, general counsel at TfL, said "the east-west cycle superhighway will make London's roads safer for all, particularly cyclists".
Timothy Straker QC, appearing for the organisation, said the LTDA's objective was plainly "the cessation of further works, if not the dismantling of the work already carried out".
He said such a move would cause "considerable and unjust inconvenience" to the project.
The hearing continues and is expected to take two days
Source : BBC news
5 comments:
Shame the LTDA didn't challenge the Mayors corrupt and improper strategy to scrap cabs under the Taxi Age Limit - Oh no, the LTDA and the other shower of no marks all got together to put out propaganda in their papers claiming the had successfully negotiated to retain it.
The CSH is weeks away from being finished and at the eleventh hour the LTDA ride in on their big white charger to save the day...Zzzz
I predict they're on a hiding to nothing on this one as they were on the rickshaw case. This case is a loss leader for the LTDA, it will be milked in Taxi for the benifit of the members for many months to come.
What a non event and more importantly another waste of LTDA subs.
Even if the learned judge decides that TfL needs planning permission, they will just apply and get it wasting more taxpayers cash, even if one of the boroughs refuses permission TfL will appeal to the Mayor who will of course overrule.
So who thought this one up the PR company that briefed Richard Massett to talk about 'it's all about the numbers' (instead of more correctly it's all about illegally plying for hire) at the recent parliamentary committee?
Is it more about doing something rather than nothing as members are now turning up at LTDA meetings, who knows?
It's alleged that an LTDA executive member when asked by a butterboy if there's a living to be made driving a cab said 'your 30 years. Too late son'
'Formed to combat the minicabs menace' they always said, what a success!
What a non event and more importantly another waste of LTDA subs.
Even if the learned judge decides that TfL needs planning permission, they will just apply and get it wasting more taxpayers cash, even if one of the boroughs refuses permission TfL will appeal to the Mayor who will of course overrule.
So who thought this one up the PR company that briefed Richard Massett to talk about 'it's all about the numbers' (instead of more correctly it's all about illegally plying for hire) at the recent parliamentary committee?
Is it more about doing something rather than nothing as members are now turning up at LTDA meetings, who knows?
It's alleged that an LTDA executive member when asked by a butterboy if there's a living to be made driving a cab said 'your 30 years. Too late son'
'Formed to combat the minicabs menace' they always said, what a success!
Although I wish them success, I feel this is too late now and a waste of much needed funds which could have been used to take TfL to court over it enforcing the regulations they have.
we have a large number of motorised Rickshaws running around London ,I thought that
motorised ones effectively become unlicensed Hackney carriages.Oddy you are useless
and have been for 30 years.Do the right thing as resign from the LTDA.
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