On yer bike! South Audley Street cycle hire station challenge thrown out by High Court judge

Published: 16 July 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

A HIGH Court judge has rejected a legal challenge against one of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s flagship cycle hire schemes in ­Mayfair.

Resident Noel Carroll was seeking to reverse a decision by Westminster Council’s planning committee last year to allow one of the project’s docking stations for 30 bikes to be built near his home in South Audley Street. The street is in a conservation area, containing a number of listed buildings. 

Mr Carroll led a campaign against the scheme, claiming it unlawfully failed to take into account the environmental damage it would bring to the area.

But Deputy High Court Judge Michael Supperstone QC ruled that the case was “not arguable”. 

The court heard that Mr Carroll was only seeking to challenge the legality of the docking station near him, although others in Westminster have been divisive. 

Lawyers for Westminster Council and Transport for London said the correct steps had been followed when planning permission was granted. The site was granted planning consent in August last year. 

Last week the council tore up plans to install a similar station in Little Venice, after a campaign by residents who said it would spoil the beauty spot by the canal. 

In Westminster there will be around 150 bike hire sites.

Councillor Robert Davis, Westminster’s deputy leader and cabinet member for built environment, said: “We have always aimed to strike a balance between making sure the Mayor’s bike hire stands are readily available in the best locations for users, with the least possible impact on local people. 

“We are pleased the High Court has recognised the impartial and objective way as a planning authority we handled this application and has decided that all relevant facts were taken into consideration here.”