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Opponents of a "mini-Holland" cycling scheme in north-east London have been told by a High Court judge there is "no merit whatsoever" in their criticisms.

The £27 million project aims to improve safety and the environment in the borough of Waltham Forest, including Walthamstow village, by encouraging more walking and cycling and reducing the volume of traffic in residential areas.

It is one of three mini-Holland schemes set to be built in the capital using funding from the Mayor of London.

But critics of the project, led by a group called E17Streets4All, applied to the court for a statutory review after the council conducted what they described as a "sham" consultation exercise. Hundreds gathered outside Waltham Forest town hall last month as councillors debated proposals.

The group claimed members of the public weren't fully able to make known their objections, which include accusations the project will lead to poorer air quality as well as congestion and limit access to businesses.

But Mr Justice Holgate, sitting in London, ruled there was "no merit whatsoever" in any of the criticisms raised and ordered the group to pay £10,000 plus VAT towards legal costs incurred by Waltham Forest defending the scheme.

The judge said: "The main concern related to road closures and their effect on access to premises and congestion and pollution outside the village.

"It is plain that the parties involved were fully able to make their objections and concerns on these matters known to the council."

The issues raised "were given careful consideration," the judge ruled. The suggestion that the consultations had been a sham was shown to be wrong by the fact that some aspects of the scheme were modified following suggestions made by members of the public.

Later Councillor Clyde Loakes, Waltham Forest council's deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, welcomed the judge's decision.

He said: "The council appreciates that people have concerns and hope that this provides another opportunity for us to reassure everyone in the borough that we take seriously the need to meet all the appropriate legal requirements.

"We will continue to work with the community to develop the programme, which encourages walking and cycling, as we roll it out across the borough."

A spokesman for E17Streets4All said it would be continuing to fight against road closures "for and on behalf of residents of Waltham Forest".

He said: "We support cycling but also support the free movement of vehicles safely across the borough."

Additional reporting by PA