Rebecca Harris MP 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 each 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 has occurred in several Labour-run council areas, 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 enforcement and prevent local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by profiting from traffic restrictions, a move Rebecca has long campaigned for.

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 street works will reduce unnecessary delays to journeys and grants for schools have been launched to accelerate the roll out of electric vehicles charge points, making it easier for drivers to make the switch. Meanwhile drivers in Labour-run areas are seeing more disruption thanks to Labour’s 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, to reduce journey times and make driving easier, fairer and cheaper.

Rebecca said: “People across Castle Point rely on car journeys every day to get to work, visit the shops and see friends and family. Under this Conservative Government, we’re ensuring that the local council engages with the community ahead of any traffic schemes being introduced so that only those with support will go ahead.”

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.”