Sunak orders assessment of anti-car schemes after ULEZ helps Tories win seat

Rishi Sunak has ordered a assessment of the rollout of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) – and insisted that he’s on the facet of motorists.

It comes after the Conservatives’ victory within the Uxbridge and Ruislip by-election earlier this month, which noticed the Tory candidate faucet into native issues in regards to the enlargement of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ).  That success has seen some Tory MPs on the proper of the social gathering urge Mr Sunak to interact in a rethink on internet zero, amid hopes of attacking Labour’s inexperienced ambitions.

The transfer is prone to infuriate local weather change activists like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. And it’s unlikely to be welcomed by London Mayor Sadiq Kahn, who refused to rule out extra clear air schemes being rolled out throughout London after his court docket victory to increase ULEZ.

The measures are additionally designed to encourage uptake of different modes of transport.  But the adoption of the insurance policies has attracted the ire of some Tory MPs, who’ve criticised the measures as assaults on motorists. 

Mr Sunak instructed the Telegraph: “The vast majority of people in the country use their cars to get around and are dependent on their cars. When I’m lucky enough to get home to North Yorkshire it’s more representative of how most of the country is living, where cars are important.

“I just want to make sure people know that I’m on their side in supporting them to use their cars to do all the things that matter to them.”

The unfold of LTNs in latest months has emerged as a priority amongst some on the proper of the Conservative Party.  Conservative MP Nick Fletcher advised within the Commons earlier this yr that site visitors management plans being mooted by native councils throughout the UK had been a part of an “international socialist concept” which might take away private liberties.

This just isn’t the primary time Mr Sunak has hit out at LTNs.  In final summer time’s Tory management contest, he promised to assessment the insurance policies to contemplate the affect on emergency providers.

In the identical interview, Mr Sunak knocked again calls to alter the deadline for the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel automotive gross sales. He instructed the paper: “The 2030 target has been our policy for a long time and continues to be. We are not considering a delay to that date.”

But he doubled-down on assaults on Sir Keir Starmer amid the row over the Ulez scheme, which is being pushed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.  The Labour chief and different senior social gathering have known as on Mr Khan to replicate on the coverage following the Uxbridge defeat.

The capital’s mayor has promised to take heed to Londoners, whereas additionally stressing the pressing want to wash up town’s air.  “I’ve become slightly more alarmed by the Labour Party’s position. It’s quite anti-motorist,” Mr Sunak claimed.