Tory MPs’ plea for PM to present drivers extra safety in opposition to low site visitors scheme

Tory MPs referred to as on Rishi Sunak to go additional to guard drivers after he ordered a assessment of divisive low-traffic neighbourhoods.

The Prime Minister informed motorists he’s “on their side” and understands how dependent most individuals are on their automobiles.

But a bunch of greater than 40 Conservatives urged him to do extra for drivers by delaying a ban on new petrol automobiles from 2030.

Car use has been pushed up the political agenda within the wake of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election that Labour didn’t win after native anger over the £12.50 a day ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) cost.

Mr Sunak confirmed he has requested the Department for Transport to assessment LTNs after a backlash from residents.

He stated: “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.”

He hit out at Sir Keir’s Starmer’s Labour social gathering over its method to automotive use. “I’ve become slightly more alarmed by the Labour Party’s position. It’s quite anti-motorist,” Mr Sunak stated.

Local councils impose LTNs to restrict site visitors on the town and metropolis centres, with drivers typically prevented from utilizing quiet residential roads as by routes.

Barriers akin to bollards and planters, in addition to street indicators and CCTV cameras, are put as much as cease drivers utilizing the roads.

The measures are designed to make folks stroll, cycle or use public transport. But critics argue they push site visitors onto different roads, shifting congestion elsewhere.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper stated the Tories are “about giving people more choice on how they travel, not banning you from driving your car”.

Labour dismissed the announcement and accused the Government of “pure hypocrisy”.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh stated: “The Conservatives accelerated and funded the use of LTNs, so it is pure hypocrisy to see them denounce a policy they have been instrumental in introducing and accelerating at pace.

“Measures to improve road safety around schools and in residential streets are often demanded by local communities themselves. That’s why these are decisions for local authorities and must be done with proper consultation and taking on board the concerns of communities.”

Shadow worldwide commerce secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds stated Labour backs “well-planned” LTNs.

The Local Government Association stated a nationwide assessment is “unnecessary”.

Transport spokeswoman Linda Taylor stated: “It is important that we consult with all residents and businesses to find the best solutions to ease congestion and improve air quality for everyone.

“However, it is councils who are best placed to make decisions with their communities in improving the lives of people and businesses. As democratic organisations they continually review all kinds of services and schemes based on local circumstances. Therefore, a national review is unnecessary.”

Conservative MP Nick Fletcher urged within the Commons earlier this yr that site visitors management plans devised by native councils are a part of an “international socialist concept” which is able to take away private liberties.

Despite pledging to again motorists, Mr Sunak insisted the federal government’s plan to introduce a ban on gross sales of recent petrol and diesel automobiles from 2030 will stay in place.

“The 2030 target has been our policy for a long time and continues to be. We are not considering a delay to that date,” he informed the Telegraph.

But senior Conservative MPs and friends, together with former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and Sir Jacob Rees Mogg, have written to Mr Sunak to argue the “time is right for a rethink” and warned of the risks of a “heavy-handed ban”.

The letter warns the proposed ban “would risk that entire approach and do grave harm to the economy”.

It provides: “Globally we now stand virtually alone with this 2030 commitment: even the EU has watered down its own policy on phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, which is planned for the later date of 2035 and allows for new e-fuels and the continued technological development of the internal combustion engine towards greater efficiency and cleaner credentials.

“The future for this country is in imposing fewer burdens and being more lightly regulated than the EU, not in unilaterally imposing additional job-destroying burdens to meet an unnecessary and unworkable deadline.”