Roads plan legal challenge advances

Lawyers acting for environmental transport campaign group the Transport Action Network (TAN) have started proceedings against the DfT’s £27bn Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2), arguing that it breaches climate and air quality laws (LTT 01 May). The DfT is required to respond to the campaigners’ arguments within 21 days. TAN said that, because of the case’s national significance, assuming the High Court grants permission, the legal challenge is expected to be heard by the autumn. TAN is being represented by Leigh Day solicitors, David Wolfe QC (Matrix chambers) and Pete Lockley (11 KBW), the same legal team that won the case against the Government’s Airports national policy statement in the Court of Appeal in February.