Labour has quietly abandoned plans to restrict the expansion of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph speed limit zones. This move, referred to as a ‘secret war on drivers,’ goes against previous proposals.
The original proposals, crafted by the Tories, aimed to reduce the ability of local councils to limit traffic and levy ‘unfair’ fines and parking fees.
Labour ministers, however, dismissed the proposals, saying they ‘would have made no positive difference for drivers’.
It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced repeated accusations that Labour is launching a ‘war on motorists’ in England and Wales.
Recently, Southwark council, led by Labour, acknowledged they would need to refund many drivers wrongfully fined for using bus lanes.
On Saturday, Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, criticized the decision to remove restrictions on councils’ traffic control powers, mentioning it as a ‘secret war on drivers’.
The Conservatives also raised fears that increased limits on car use would hit already struggling high streets across the UK.
Mr Holden told The Telegraph: ‘Labour has been caught red-handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists.
A cyclist passes planters blocking a road for cars in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced repeated accusations that Labour is launching a ‘war on motorists’ in England and Wales
A 20mph speed limit signpost and local shops on Lordship Lane, in East Dulwich, London
He claimed that the Conservatives had resisted excessive and unfair enforcement, but these efforts have been quietly dismantled without public input or electoral promises.
Such actions, he argued, are detrimental to motorists, damaging to local businesses, and could further harm the economy, disrupting progress more than Rachel Reeves has already done.
Back in October 2023, Rishi Sunak announced his party would be introducing a ‘Plan for Drivers’ to make it harder for local authorities to implement anti-car schemes.
The proposals would have forced councils to place more emphasis on the views of local residents and businesses when considering the introduction of LTNs.
As a minimum, authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings, with locals in the affected areas also made aware of the plans through leaflets.
However according to the Telegraph’s report, ministers have now confirmed that the plans – which were yet to be formalised – have now been shelved.
Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said the government was considering its ‘next steps’ and that the work had been ‘put on hold’.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods work by blocking cars from going down residential streets
Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said the government was considering its ‘next steps’ and that the work had been ‘put on hold’
Pictured: A Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Enfield, north London
She added that there are no ‘current plans’ to change the guidance on the rolling out of 20mph speed limits in England.
The minister reiterated that it was up to local authorities to decide where lower speed thresholds would be appropriate in their areas.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘The Government is absolutely on the side of drivers, focusing on making journeys safer and smoother, and saving motorists money.
‘Over the past year alone, we invested an extra £500m to help local authorities resurface roads and fix seven million potholes, reducing congestion and saving drivers up to £600 a year in repairs.
‘We’ve also committed £1bn to repair bridges, flyovers and tunnels, and greenlit over 30 road schemes to improve journeys.
‘Meanwhile, we are making our roads safer to drive on and will set out the next steps for the first road safety strategy in over a decade in due course.’
Daily Mail has contacted the Labour Party for comment.
