Sunak orders evaluate of low-traffic neighbourhoods
R
ishi Sunak has ordered a evaluate of the rollout of low-traffic neighbourhoods and stated he was on the aspect of motorists.
The Prime Minister used an interview within the Sunday Telegraph to announce that he has ordered the Department for Transport to evaluate low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) insurance policies.
Under such plans, native councils try restrict site visitors on the town and metropolis centres – with drivers usually prevented from utilizing quiet residential roads as through-routes.
The measures are additionally designed to encourage uptake of different modes of transport.
But the adoption of the polices 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 pitch to motorists and automotive house owners comes after the Conservatives’ slim victory within the Uxbridge and Ruislip by-election earlier this month, which noticed the Tory candidate faucet into native considerations in regards to the enlargement of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez).
That success has seen some Tory MPs on the suitable of the get together urge Mr Sunak to have interaction in a rethink on internet zero, amid hopes of attacking Labour’s inexperienced ambitions.
The unfold of LTNs in latest months has emerged as a priority amongst some on the suitable of the Conservative Party.
Conservative MP Nick Fletcher recommended within the Commons earlier this 12 months 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 isn’t the primary time Mr Sunak has hit out at LTNs.
In final summer time’s Tory management contest, he promised to evaluate the insurance policies to think about the impression 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 get together have referred to as on Mr Khan to mirror on the coverage following the Uxbridge defeat.
The capital’s mayor has promised to hearken to Londoners, whereas additionally stressing the pressing want to wash up the town’s air.
“I’ve become slightly more alarmed by the Labour Party’s position. It’s quite anti-motorist,” Mr Sunak claimed.