Latest news with #20mphZones
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Labour 'waging war on motorists' after scrapping plans to limit number of new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
Labour has been accused of waging a 'war on motorists' by scrapping plans to limit the number of new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Ministers have reportedly ditched reforms that would have curbed councils from also introducing 20mph zones, as well as 'unfair' fines and parking charges. The Conservative Party, which drew up the changes under Rishi Sunak, branded the move 'a kick in the teeth' to drivers. But Labour dismissed the proposals as 'speculative suggestions' and said they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism for his support of heavy-handed policies against car owners, particularly in London. In June, Lambeth Council was ordered by the High Court to tear down an 'unlawful' LTN in West Dulwich which raked in £1 million in fines. Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan will be 'licking his lips now he has been given the green light to hammer drivers even more'. He told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Labour has been caught red-handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists. 'Conservatives led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement but our work has been ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge.' Two years ago, Sunak announced a 'Plan for Drivers', which would have forced councils to hold a minimum series of public meetings to hear the views of residents and businesses. The Tories also planned to revoke council's access to DVLA data, which they use to enforce traffic filters. But Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said work had been 'put on hold and the Government is now considering appropriate next steps'. She said: 'As has always been the case, local authorities are responsible for managing their roads and are accountable to their communities.' Ms Greenwood added that Tory plans to allow residents the formal right to challenge parking policies, such as yellow box penalties, 'would have made no positive difference'. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The Government is absolutely on the side of drivers, focusing on making journeys safer and smoother, and saving motorists money. 'Over the past year alone, we invested an extra £500 million to help local authorities resurface roads and fix seven million potholes, reducing congestion and saving drivers up to £600 a year in repairs. 'We've also committed £1 billion to repair bridges, flyovers and tunnels, and greenlit over 30 road schemes to improve journeys. 'Meanwhile, we are making our roads safer to drive on and will set out the next steps for the first road safety strategy in over a decade in due course.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Labour renews 'war on motorists' as it quietly ditches plans to limit new LTNs and 20mph zones
Labour has quietly dropped plans to limit the roll out of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones in what has been dubbed a 'secret war on drivers'. The reforms, which were drawn up by the Tories, would have curbed locals councils' powers to restrict traffic and impose 'unfair' fines and parking charges. Labour ministers, however, dismissed the proposals, saying they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced repeated accusations that Labour is launching a 'war on motorists' in England and Wales. Just this week, Labour-run Southwark council was forced to admit it would refund thousands of people after they were unfairly fined for driving in bus lanes. On Saturday, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden branded the decision to scrap the limits on councils' powers over traffic measures a 'secret war on drivers'. The Conservatives also raised fears that increased limits on car use would hit already struggling high streets across the UK. Mr Holden told The Telegraph: 'Labour has been caught red-handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists. 'Conservatives led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement but our work has been ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge. 'This is a kick in the teeth to motorists, set to punish beleaguered local high streets and will slam the brakes on the economy even more than Rachel Reeves has done so far.' Back in October 2023, Rishi Sunak announced his party would be introducing a 'Plan for Drivers' to make it harder for local authorities to implement anti-car schemes. The proposals would have forced councils to place more emphasis on the views of local residents and businesses when considering the introduction of LTNs. As a minimum, authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings, with locals in the affected areas also made aware of the plans through leaflets. However according to the Telegraph's report, ministers have now confirmed that the plans - which were yet to be formalised - have now been shelved. Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said the government was considering its 'next steps' and that the work had been 'put on hold'. She added that there are no 'current plans' to change the guidance on the rolling out of 20mph speed limits in England. The minister reiterated that it was up to local authorities to decide where lower speed thresholds would be appropriate in their areas. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The Government is absolutely on the side of drivers, focusing on making journeys safer and smoother, and saving motorists money. 'Over the past year alone, we invested an extra £500m to help local authorities resurface roads and fix seven million potholes, reducing congestion and saving drivers up to £600 a year in repairs. 'We've also committed £1bn to repair bridges, flyovers and tunnels, and greenlit over 30 road schemes to improve journeys. 'Meanwhile, we are making our roads safer to drive on and will set out the next steps for the first road safety strategy in over a decade in due course.'
