Former Paralympian fails in judicial review over traffic light switch-off

A partially-sighted man has failed in his judicial review challenge over Reading Borough Council’s decision to turn off traffic lights at some pedestrian crossings.

Judge Steven Kovats QC refused permission for the challenge as he concluded that the council gave proper and sufficient consideration to the requirements of section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 when coming to its decision.

Chris Fry, managing partner at Unity Law, who represented the claimant and former Paralympics athlete Simon Goodall, said he had hoped the case would have provide guidance on shared spaces - where both pedestrians and vehicles use the same section of the highway - and say to what extent local authorities had to consider their impact on disabled people.

Fry said: “It was open to the judge to demonstrate that the court were interested in the substance of the decision taken by the council, rather than procedural compliance.

“What the case has done instead, is expose the flaw which has allowed local authorities to conclude that changes to traffic signalling does adversely impact on disabled people, but to proceed with those changes regardless.”

Goodall may now take the case to the county court and seek an injunction requiring the council to reinstate the pedestrian crossings, Unity Law said.

Reading said it had acted to reduce traffic congestion and “robustly” defended its stance.

The Guide Dogs charity, which supported the claimant in bringing the case, said that since the lights were switched off in January 2015 a busy part of Reading had become “a virtual no-go area for many people living with sight loss”.

It said in a statement: “It’s extremely disappointing that Reading Borough Council’s decision to turn the lights off at Target Junction is not going forward to judicial review.

“Many of our guide dog owners have told us that Target Junction is now unsafe. It is virtually impossible for people who are unable to see to judge whether it’s safe to cross the road or how much time they have to cross safely.”

Mark Smulian