Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 24th March print edition.
People across Burton and Uttoxeter rely on car journeys every day to get to work, visit the shops, and see friends and family.
However, we have seen in recent months an increasing number of efforts made at local levels across England to limit and impede the access of those who rely on cars to get about. Even in East Staffordshire, we have sadly seen our local Labour-run council hike up parking charges and scrap the popular ‘Free after 3pm’ scheme, harming our town centres and local businesses.
This is wrong and I welcome the Government’s commitment to support motorists and ensure local communities are properly engaged. This week, the Government, published draft legislation for councils on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that there must be community engagement and support for proposed schemes to ensure every LTN 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.
Secondly, 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 overzealous enforcement and prevent local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by profiting from traffic restrictions.
I am pleased to see that the Government is tackling these anti-driver road schemes and overzealous traffic enforcement, helping to reduce journey times for motorists as part of its long-term Plan for Drivers.
