Tory MPs’ plea for PM to give drivers more protection against low traffic schemes | Politics | News

Tory MPs called on Rishi Sunak to go further to protect drivers after he ordered a review of divisive low-traffic neighbourhoods.

The Prime Minister told motorists he is “on their side” and understands how dependent most people are on their cars.

But a group of more than 40 Conservatives urged him to do more for drivers by delaying a ban on new petrol cars from 2030.

Car use has been pushed up the political agenda in the wake of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election that Labour failed to win after local anger over the £12.50 a day ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charge.

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

He said: “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 party over its approach to car use. “I’ve become slightly more alarmed by the Labour Party’s position. It’s quite anti-motorist,” Mr Sunak said.

Local councils impose LTNs to limit traffic in town and city centres, with drivers often prevented from using quiet residential roads as through routes.

Barriers such as bollards and planters, as well as road signs and CCTV cameras, are put up to stop drivers using the roads.

The measures are designed to make people walk, cycle or use public transport. But critics argue they push traffic onto other roads, moving congestion elsewhere.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said 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 said: “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 international trade secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour backs “well-planned” LTNs.

The Local Government Association said a nationwide review is “unnecessary”.

Transport spokeswoman Linda Taylor said: “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 suggested in the Commons earlier this year that traffic control plans devised by local councils are part of an “international socialist concept” which will take away personal liberties.

Despite pledging to back motorists, Mr Sunak insisted the government’s plan to introduce a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 will remain 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 told the Telegraph.

But senior Conservative MPs and peers, including 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 dangers of a “heavy-handed ban”.

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

It adds: “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.”