Helen Edward, Parliamentary Candidate for Kingston says:
“We’re sticking to the plan to improve journeys for drivers” as Conservative Government announces new ‘Plan for Drivers’ measures.
People should be able to travel in the way that works best for them, but too many people feel that traffic schemes are being implemented by councils without local consent. That is why the Conservative Government is sticking with the plan by delivering its Plan for Drivers, giving local people a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them by cracking down on anti-driver road schemes, overzealous traffic enforcement and strengthening guidance on 20mph limits.
While Labour are penalising drivers in Wales and London and the Lib Dem Council in Kingston with blanket 20mph limits and the expanded ULEZ charge, the Conservative Government is on the side of drivers as it sticks with the plan to make driving easier, fairer and cheaper.
Helen Edward has welcomed new measures by the Conservative Government to tackle anti-driver road schemes and overzealous traffic enforcement, helping to reduce journey times for motorists as part of its long-term Plan for Drivers. Draft statutory guidance for councils has been published on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that there must be community engagement and support for proposed schemes to ensure every LTN has local consent before it is implemented.The guidance will come into force this summer to tackle recent problems highlighted with councils introducing LTNs without public support, causing huge disruption for drivers.
Concerns have also been raised about the unintended negative consequences for local people, particularly for disabled residents and the delays caused to emergency service responders caught up in LTNs, potentially risking lives. The aim is to prevent councils having to reverse poorly implemented or locally unpopular schemes, as occurred in Labour-run council areas in Jesmond, Newcastle and Streatham Wells, London, often at significant cost. Councils are also receiving strengthened guidance on setting 20mph speed limits, reminding them they should only be used in sensible and appropriate areas such as outside schools, and where safety and local support is at the heart of the decision. Alongside driving schemes, consultations are being launched to tackle overzealous enforcement and prevent local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by profiting from traffic restrictions.
Helen Edward said " We have seen this specifically in Chessington where the ULEZ extension scheme has been deliberately stretched to cover Chessington World of Adventure and Chessington Garden Centre to penalise visitors, adding another £12.50 to the cost of a day out, an unaffordable deterrent for many families and shoppers which hurts our businesses too. The Mayor of London is using Outer South London as a cash cow for North London's superior transport system, taking our drivers who depend on their cars to get around for granted. The Mayor of London, supported by the Lib Dem council in Kingston Borough, has cost families and businesses a fortune in the middle of a cost of living crisis. In the Mayoral Election on May 2nd, our angry residents will have their say."
£50 million has also been announced to upgrade traffic lights across 80 highway authorities, improving journey times and reducing congestion caused by red lights. These announcements are part of the Conservative Government’s 30-point Plan for Drivers, which is already making progress to benefit motorists. Measures to crackdown on disruptive streetworks will reduce unnecessary delays to journeys and grants for schools have been launched to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicles charge points, making it easier for drivers to make the switch.
Meanwhile drivers in Lib Dem and Labour-run areas are seeing more disruption thanks to their anti-driver approach. Welsh Labour are spending £40 million to roll out blanket 20mph speed limits which will cost the Welsh economy billions and is causing huge disruption to drivers, while also refusing to build any new roads, taking the nation back to square one. Meanwhile in London, Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan is raising millions of pounds every month through his ULEZ expansion, which unfairly targets businesses and those on the lowest income with a £12.50 tax every time they want to use their car. Only the Conservative Government is on the side of drivers, as they stick with the plan to reduce journey times and make driving easier, fairer and cheaper, building a brighter future.
Helen Edward said: “People across Kingston Borough rely on car journeys every day to get to work, visit the shops, and see friends and family. So,I understand the frustration when those journeys are delayed by unwanted LTNs and 20mph limits.
“Under this Conservative Government, we’re sticking to the plan to improve journeys for drivers, ensuring local councils engage with the community ahead of any traffic schemes being introduced so that only those with support will go ahead.
“Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are on the side of drivers as they take the long-term decisions to make road journeys easier, fairer and cheaper as we build a brighter future."
Commenting, Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP said: “We want local people to have their voices heard, and any traffic schemes to have the consent of those they impact.
“Well thought out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community. “We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers –making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them."
