Yahoo News Government minister warns green transport 'culture war' must end during North East visit
A Labour minister has called for an end to "culture wars" over divisive schemes aimed at boosting walking and cycling.
Simon Lightwood, the minister for local transport, was in the North East to test out the first section of a new seafront cycleway in Tynemouth. The introduction of such a scheme on the North Tyneside coastline has been heavily debated over recent years, while other green travel projects elsewhere in the region have also proved deeply controversial.
Neighbouring Newcastle City Council's installation and subsequent shelving of a series of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) sparked furious debate and led to anger from both supporters and critics of the projects.
Mr Lightwood called on councils to listen and engage with their residents over such projects but also took aim at the previous Tory government, which ordered a review of LTNs nationally under Rishi Sunak as part of a bid to pitch his administration as being pro-motorist.
Mr Lightwood said: “I think what is important, and something we have always emphasised is the clear need for councils to engage and consult with their local communities to ensure the right decisions are made and that those schemes work for all residents in the locality.”
He added: “This government is really clear that we want to end the divisive culture war approach of the previous administration and we will embrace green and healthy transport choices.”
In February this year, Newcastle City Council ripped up a series of bollards blocking traffic through residential streets between the Cradlewell and Osborne Road in Jesmond, ending its LTN trial after a year of major controversy.
A Newcastle Council consultation with more than 23,500 responses, found that 77% of those surveyed were opposed to making the LTN permanent. However, the council maintained that its own data did not show any evidence of road safety problems or increased air pollution, as claimed by some locals.
Another LTN in Fenham was also abandoned last year, while a similar trial in Heaton was the most recent to be dropped.
The council has produced new designs to replace the latter, with a consultation running until the end of this month on proposals which include several one-way routes, widened pavements, and resident-only parking permits.
