Resident loses cycle hire challenge

The High Court has rejected a legal challenge over the London Mayor Boris Johnson's cycle hire scheme.

A Mayfair resident, Noel Carroll, was seeking permission to challenge Westminster City Council's decision to allow the siting of one of the project's 400-bike "docking stations" near his home.

The 98ft station is planned for South Audley Street, which is in a conservation area containing several listed buildings including Harry's Bar, a private club which has its entrance near the proposed station.

Mr Carroll, 63, and other Mayfair residents accused Westminster City Council of unlawfully failing to take into account the environmental damage the scheme would cause through increased noise, other disturbance and traffic congestion. But the Deputy High Court Judge Michael Supperstone QC ruled yesterday that the grounds raised were "not arguable". The court had heard that Mr Carroll was only seeking permission to challenge the legality of the docking station near him, and the case did not concern any other stations. The London Cycle Hire scheme is due to start on 30 July.