Latest news with #LowTrafficNeighbourhoods
Yahoo
a day 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
2 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.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Labour drops plans to restrict LTNs in ‘secret war on motorists'
Labour has renewed its ' war on motorists ' by dropping plans to limit new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones. Ministers have quietly ditched reforms that would have curbed council powers to restrict traffic and levy 'unfair' fines and parking charges. The Conservatives, which drew up the changes, branded the move 'a kick in the teeth to motorists' and warned it would hit struggling high streets. But Labour ministers dismissed the proposals as 'speculative suggestions' and said they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. Sir Keir Starmer has been repeatedly accused of pursuing heavy-handed policies against motorists, most notably in London and Wales. In the latest example, Labour-run Southwark council on Sunday was forced to admit it illegally fined thousands of people for driving in bus lanes. Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said scrapping the Tory plans represented a 'secret war on drivers' that was not in Labour's manifesto. 'Labour has been caught red handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists,' he said. '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.' Rishi Sunak announced a 'Plan for Drivers' in October 2023, which would have made it harder for local councils to introduce anti-car schemes. It included draft guidance on the introduction of LTNs, which would have forced councils to focus more on the views of local residents and businesses. As a 'minimum' authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings with residents and to leaflet every household in the affected area. The changes were planned over concerns councils have been railroading through LTNs on the back of support by green and pro-cycling groups. Ministers have now confirmed that the draft guidance, which was not formalised in time for last year's general election, has been effectively shelved. Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said that as a result, work had been 'put on hold and the Government is now considering appropriate next steps'. 'As has always been the case, local authorities are responsible for managing their roads and are accountable to their communities,' she said. Lord Hendy, a transport minister, also suggested that the Government does not plan to change the current guidance in force on LTNs. 'Traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best,' he said. The last Tory government had planned a series of pro-driver reforms, including new guidance to 'prevent inappropriate blanket use of 20mph zones'. The Tories sought to roll out more pro-driver policies in the wake of the Labour administration in Wales controversially enforcing a default 20mph zone across all formerly 30mph areas in 2023. Following a huge outcry the Senedd is now reviewing the policy, with the architect of the scheme admitting 'more common sense' should have been deployed. Ms Greenwood said the Government has 'no current plans' to review the guidance around the setting of 20mph speed limits in England. 'We believe that traffic authorities are best placed to decide where lower limits will be effective on the roads for which they are responsible, and that consultation and community support should be at the heart of the process,' she added. Other planned Tory measures that would have limited the use of '15-minute cities' have also been ditched. Under those measures, Conservative ministers would have revoked council's access to DVLA data, which they use to enforce traffic filters. The 15-minute city concept were designed so residents could access all basic services within a quarter of an hour walk or bike ride from home. It has become controversial with some on the Right who see the car as pivotal to freedom and attempts to curb driving as the spread of state control. 'No positive difference' Mr Sunak also pledged to reduce 'unfair' traffic fines, such as yellow box penalties, including by restricting councils' ability to raise revenue from them. Under the measures new guidance would have been brought forward giving residents the formal right to challenge their council's parking policies. Labour ministers confirmed that all three proposals had been dropped. 'Those policies in 'The Plan for Drivers' that would have made no positive difference for drivers have been discontinued,' Ms Greenwood said. Mr Holden said that Sir Sadiq Khan would be 'licking his lips now he has been given the green light to hammer drivers even more'. The Mayor of London has overseen a rapid expansion of LTNs in the capital and the introduction of blanket 20mph limits across the city. The Department for Transport was approached for comment.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Oxford LTNs: Fines for drivers top £1m over nearly 4 years
Drivers have paid more than £1m in fines for driving through Oxford's Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) over three-and-a-half years, a Freedom of Information request has show more than 52,000 fines have been issued to motorists who drive through LTNs since contentious traffic measure was first trialled on several roads during the pandemic using wooden County Council is legally required to spend money raised from fines on supporting transport. It said the measures had made streets "healthier and safer". Motorists can be fined £70 for driving through the LTNs without an exemption, with the fine reducing to £35 if it is paid within 21 LTNs in Cowley and East Oxford were made permanent in July 2022 and October 2023 respectively after an 18-month figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed the income raised from fines has dropped over county council made a total of £456,976 in 2022, which dropped to £189,887 in 2023, £222,676 in far in 2025, fines have totalled £213,420 giving an overall total so far of £1,082, income raised in fines is offset against the costs of providing parking enforcement and park and ride schemes. Any surplus must be used to fund transport related opposition councillor David Henwood said the money from fines would be used as a "war chest" for more measures "against car owners"."Fines are not being used in a positive way, for example providing school bus services or subsidising bus routes, or even making roads safer by introducing segregated cycle lanes."He added that junctions on the Newman and Churchill Road were "now more dangerous" because of the Gant, cabinet member for transport management on the county council said air quality was "improving" due to LTNs and other initiatives."The LTNs have no doubt helped Oxford to achieve as much as a 38% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels since 2019."Over time, the benefits should increase," he number of appeals made after a fine was issued stood at 7,186 since 2022.A total of 89% of appeals were successful - although they include cases where liability is transferred to new owners of vehicles. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Just ignore all the myths about low traffic neighbourhoods: they're popular, effective and here to stay
Hope springs eternal among those who have long opposed low-traffic-neighbourhood (LTN) anti-pollution schemes after last week's high court ruling that Lambeth council in south London had acted unlawfully in ignoring local objections to its latest scheme. 'Low traffic neighbourhoods could be scrapped as campaigners score high court victory – 'sends a clear signal'', was the line on GB News. 'Low-traffic neighbourhoods could be axed,' said the Express. But here's the news: they won't and it didn't. Furthermore, to use this specific case to throw out LTNs would be a backwards step for public health, the economy and the climate. So what should happen next? Councils should hold their nerve and trust the data, which shows that LTNs are worth doing, and worth doing well. Whatever side of the fence you're on, it's important to look at the wider body of evidence. And the evidence shows LTNs cut traffic, clean the air and enable more walking and cycling. Crucially, despite the tone of the debates you might be hearing, LTNs are effective and popular, and they become more popular over time. The evidence also shows that some councils could do more to have meaningful dialogue with residents, especially those who face the biggest barriers to their mobility. Perhaps the biggest criticism of LTNs is that they cause additional chaos and pollution by pushing traffic elsewhere, but this is not what the data shows. The picture derived from studies of actual LTNs in London and around the country is much more nuanced: sometimes traffic in the wider area falls, sometimes it rises, and sometimes it stays the same. Rishi Sunak's own review of LTNs – conducted at the height of hysteria around the so-called war on the motorist – concluded that effects on boundary roads, whether positive or negative, were minimal. In my experience, the substance of the backlash against LTNs is often not so much about the LTN itself, but a reaction against unreliable or nonexistent buses, high fares, poor accessibility or overcrowded roads – all of which need fixing, and none of which would be solved by scrapping LTNs. Priority bus lanes, wider pavements, clean air zones, 20mph limits, cycle lanes and phasing out diesel – as well as meaningful engagement with residents – could all help address these concerns, stop traffic or pollution from rising, and give people more choice in how they get around. When a new LTN comes in, it's easy to point to it and call it the root cause of congestion, but congestion is nothing new. London has been the most congested city in Europe for years. As obvious as it sounds, the root cause of congestion is that there are simply too many cars on the road. It's worth revisiting why modernising our transport network is so important, and why LTNs can help. Air pollution contributes to thousands of premature deaths in our capital each year and aggravates numerous health conditions, with driving being the single biggest cause. The climate crisis demands at least a 20% reduction in traffic, with people across the political spectrum supporting urgent action. Meanwhile, fewer than 40% of Londoners are walking or cycling for 20 minutes or more each day. Roughly five people die on UK roads every single day, but this fact rarely makes the news. More than 20,000 people are injured on London's roads each year, causing untold emotional and physical trauma, and adding to pressures on the NHS and emergency services. The climate charity I work for, Possible, recently estimated that these collisions cost London £1.2bn annually. And with cars getting bigger and heavier, and SUVs becoming the norm, the danger to people walking and cycling grows. Indeed, cutting traffic is extremely popular. Pretty much everyone agrees there should be less traffic – not least to make life easier for those who rely on a vehicle. The evidence suggests that LTNs are a relatively quick and affordable way to do it. At the heart of all this is a simple fact: the only way to cut traffic – something we all agree would be a good thing – is for some of us to drive a bit less. There is no other magic solution. The myths of freedom for the motorist – painted vividly in advertisements that show Land Rovers cruising through completely empty city centres – must make room for the real-life and realisable freedom of kids to breathe cleaner air in their playgrounds, people to walk and cycle with less risk, and for all of us to get to where we need to go without being stuck in congestion. Low-traffic neighbourhoods are often framed as inhibiting our ability to get around. But for many of us, they make getting around more possible and desirable – making space for community, for walking, for cycling. No tool or policy is perfect: there are always lessons to learn. But that can't be an excuse for giving up and doing nothing. The status quo isn't working, and in the bigger picture, the evidence base for the effectiveness and popularity of low-traffic neighbourhoods continues to grow. One court case won't put the brakes on that. Izzy Romilly is sustainable transport campaign manager at climate charity Possible
