Businesses end JR challenge over Olympics traffic regulations

A group of businesses in Hackney have withdrawn a legal challenge to the validity of traffic management orders that will apply during the Olympic Games.

The orders include a ban on the use of the A12 between 6 am and midnight.

The claimants, who were advised by law firm Bindmans, argued that the plans would have a significant impact on their ability to operate and could even put some of the out of business altogether.

Bindmans said the group had decided to end their challenge after it emerged that the case was unlikely to be heard before the Games opened.

They also feared having to pay the costs of City solicitors employed by the Olympic Delivery Authority to defend the case.

The case was withdrawn on the basis of no order as to costs.

John Halford, a partner at Bindmans, said: “My clients very much regret having to withdraw their legal claim, but it has become clear that the Olympic Delivery Authority is very willing to spend public money on defending its poor decision-making but nothing on mitigating the effects on local businesses whose interests were all but ignored in the process that led up to the traffic management orders being made this May.”

An Olympic Delivery Authority spokesman welcomed the dropping of the case, saying it would allow it to focus on its operational responsibilities during the Games.

He told The Independent: "We have been clear from the start that engagement with businesses has gone far beyond our statutory obligations. Businesses and residents were first made aware of these changes last summer, 2011, and a formal consultation period began in November 2011.

"Advice and assistance, as well as online tools, remain available to businesses to help them plan for the Games. As you'd expect we will constantly review and monitor our arrangements to ensure that everyone can get to their destinations safely and on time this summer."