Prime minister Rishi Sunak has once again taken aim at 20mph speed limits and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), as he seeks to ‘protect drivers from over-zealous traffic enforcement’.
On 29 September, the Government unveiled a plan that it says will ‘address drivers’ everyday concerns with new measures to keep traffic moving’.
The measures include reviewing guidance on 20mph speed limits in England to prevent their blanket use in areas where ‘it’s not appropriate’ and amending guidance on LTNs to focus on local consent.
As part of the ongoing review into LTNs, the Government will also consider measures for existing policies that did not secure local consent.
The plans further aim to stop councils implementing ‘15-minute cities’, by consulting on ways to ‘prevent schemes which aggressively restrict where people can drive’.
Rishi Sunak said: “For too long politicians have focused on the short-term decisions with little regard for the long term impact on hardworking families.
“We’ve seen this consistently with people’s freedoms on transport. The clamp down on drivers is an attack on the day to day lives of most people across the UK who rely on cars to get to work or see their families.
“This week the UK Government will set out a long-term plan to back drivers, slamming the brakes on anti-car measures across England. We are taking the necessary decision to back the motorists who keep our country moving.”
Rod King and there is really a nub of an issue, Rishi Sunak putting the brakes on because of voters and Councillors going with your “safety” agenda because of voters!
Trevor.B
0
We can’t see the reviewed guidance making a lot of difference. I think its all “smoke and mirrors” and a little red meat for the party faithful.
Communities around UK are calling for 20mph limits and local councillors will respond to that. Some may have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century on it, but wide-area 20mph limits will be put in and that will include main roads, whether this agrees or disagrees with guidance manufactured for driver votes rather than danger reduction.
Rod King, Lymm
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Sounds like common sense to me … and from a politician! You could knock me done with a feather …
Andrew Fraser, STIRLING
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