Drivers face 'dreaded' road law being expanded in 'war on motorists'

The "war on motorists" from the new Labour Party government is set to continue with the rollout of more dreaded 20mph zones. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has encouraged giving local authorities and councils the power to lower speed limits.

Ms Haigh said: "It's really, really difficult for local authorities when they've not got that air cover from Government. Not only did they not have the air cover, they had the Government actively working against them, saying 'No, you're not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no, you're not allowed to roll out LTNs'.

"Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked up by the centre. It all has to be done with communities, absolutely, and the worst thing you can do is put the wrong schemes in because then it erodes that support and they can be unsafe in some circumstances."

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Responding to Ms Haigh's comments on local authorities, Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, added: "Ultimately, local authorities are best placed to decide which roads are most suitable for 20mph limits, and where (LTNs make the most sense.

"However, we think there's a good arguement for central Government to provide councils with refreshed, crystal-clear guidance on the implementation of both, to avoid the sorts of problems that have cropped up in different parts of the country."

He added: "When it comes to 20mph limits, councils should ensure the roads chosen are really appropriate, for instance, those in heavily built-up areas or close to schools, and avoid chopping and changing guidance as we've seen happen in Wales."

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: "The move to implement more damaging 20mph zones by Labour was inevitable. We know that Labour began the war on motorists in Wales under the Labour Welsh Government, which Keir Starmer called his blueprint for what a UK Labour Government would look like.

"'The economic cost of these policies is measured by the billions, and we urge Labour to end the war on motorists." Responding to te rollout, a motorist sniped: "They've given local councils more power so they can implement this, it makes it look like it's nothing to do with Labour. This was the government's plan from the outset, it was obvious well before the election."

"Yet another quickly announced policy shifting costs and accountability onto local councils and avoiding government responsibility for any unpopularity," a second fumed.