Barnet Council will be taken to the High Court by residents in Partingdale Lane over the decision to reopen the former rat-run to traffic.

Mel Simpson, who lives in Partingdale Lane and wants the road kept closed for safety reasons, said: "There are so many ways this has been wrongly handled, both legally and professionally, that really there is no option, because the way they have done it is blatantly unlawful.

"They Barnet Council shouldn't go to court because they should see how robust our arguments are."

Following a meeting with Barnet Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Monroe Palmer on Monday, the district auditor has also agreed to look closely into the decision to sign the executive order to reopen the winding lane with no pavements, between Woodside Park and Mill Hill.

Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Brian Coleman, who made the decision, said: "It is time for the residents to admit defeat. Nothing has been done wrong here."

Barnet Council has refused to say which legislation enabled Mr Coleman to sign the order.

The council constitution states that cabinet members do not have the power to do this except in cases of urgency'.

A High Court case could cost the council thousands of pounds.

October 2, 2002 16:30