Greater London Authority Act 1999 s.144 – Duties of London borough councils etc

(1)In exercising any function—

(a)a London borough council,

(c)any body or person exercising statutory functions in relation to Greater London or any part of Greater London,

is to have regard to the transport strategy.

(2)The Mayor may issue guidance in writing about the implementation of the transport strategy to any council, body or person falling within subsection (1) above.

(3)A council, body or person to whom guidance has been issued under subsection (2) above is to have regard to the guidance in exercising any function.

(4)In exercising any functions in relation to the management of roads or traffic in a Royal Park in Greater London the Secretary of State shall have regard to the transport strategy.

(5)^M94^,^M95In this section Royal Park means any park to which the Parks Regulation Act 1872 applies (see sections 1 and 3 of the Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act 1926).

Definitions used in section 144 4

the Common Council: “the Common Council” means the Common Council of the City of London;
Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act
statutory functions: “statutory functions” means functions conferred or imposed by or under any enactment;
Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act
Mayor: “Mayor” means Mayor of London (but see also section 85(3A) above) ;
Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act
guidance: “guidance” means guidance in writing;
Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 144 3

Oliver Hawes, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets

[2024] EWHC 3262 (Admin) · 17 December 2024

The judgment confirms a statutory duty to have regard to the Mayor of London’s transport strategy when exercising functions. The officers’ report sufficiently communicated the relationship between the scheme and the strategy’s objectives. (see paras [3]; [67]) The judgment confirms the duty to have regard to statutory guidance issued by the Mayor of London about implementing the transport strategy. No breach was established. (see paras [3]; [67])

City of Westminster, R (On the Application Of) v Transport for London (TfL) & Ors

[2018] EWHC 2402 (Admin) · 13 September 2018Limits

The provision requires London boroughs to have regard to the transport strategy and permits guidance to be issued. It did not establish that Westminster was obliged to approve the works at issue (see paras [45], [65]).

Oliver Hawes, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets

[2026] EWCA Civ 24 · 22 January 2026

The Court treats the duty to have regard to the Mayor of London’s transport strategy and statutory guidance as applicable, but finds that the Officers’ Report did have regard to the relevant transport objectives. (see paras [38], [42], [56]) The Court treats the statutory-guidance limb of the duty as part of the relevant-consideration framework, but concludes that the decision-making materials adequately addressed the relevant transport objectives. (see paras [38], [56])

What each judgment says about section 144 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

2 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Marginal citations

M941872 c. 15.
M951926 c. 36.