Rishi Sunak said he supports people «using their machines to do all the things that matter to them.» Photo: Paul Cooper
Rishi Sunak promised drivers he was «on their side» when he ordered a review of the controversial anti-car schemes rolled out across Britain.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the prime minister said that most people «depend on their cars» and that the «anti-car» policy does not take into account how «families live their lives.»
Mr Sunak ordered the Ministry Transportation (DfT) to conduct an inspection of low volume traffic (LTN) areas, which often use cameras, giant planters and poles to deflect cars.
The source said he was «concerned about the levels of congestion off the roads, on which they are implemented,” amid fears that the measures will simply shift traffic to neighboring areas.
The source added: “Of course we want better air quality. But people should agree and be happy living in areas where cars and vans are more or less blocked.”
Mr Sunak said: “The vast majority of people in the country use their cars to get around and depend on from them. When I was fortunate enough to return home to North Yorkshire, it more reflects the way of life in much of the country where cars are important.
«I just want people to know that I'm on their side, helping them use their cars to do all the things that matter to them.»
Interview with Rishi Sunak
Meanwhile, the prime minister is facing mounting pressure to delay the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 as it emerged that Chris Stark, head of the climate change committee, had told MPs that petrol and diesel cars would be banned from 2030. may be too early.
Separately, more than 40 Conservative MPs and their colleagues have written to Mr. Sunak urging him to push back the deadline. But he insisted that «we are not considering a delay» despite promising to take a «proportionate and pragmatic» approach to zero.
Elsewhere in his interview, Mr. Sunak launched a very personal attack on Sir Keir Starmer, suggesting that the Labor leader lacks principles.
He said: “I have a set of principles and values that are important to me that anchor my approach to life and government. I don't see it in my mailbox.
Amid growing controversy over net zero, Mr Sunak is preparing to announce a new round of North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses this week as he seeks to capitalize politically on Labour's pledge to halt new drilling.
But former Chancellor Lord Hammond, under attack from within his own party, has said successive Conservative prime ministers have been «systematically dishonest» with the public about the trillions of pounds needed to reach the goal of net income zero by 2050.
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Mr Sunak used the interview to present himself as the leader of the pro-car party, pitting himself against Sir Keir, who was under pressure to tell Sadiq Khan, Labor London's mayor, to abandon his planned expansion of the capital's ultra-low emission zone . (Ulez) after public backlash.
Speaking during a visit to Wales, the Prime Minister said the Labor Party had become «anti-motorist», citing schemes such as Ulez and the Welsh Government's plan to introduce a 20 mph speed limit in all residential areas in September.
But he's also worried about car schemes like LTN, which have become more common since the start of the Covid pandemic and aimed at reducing traffic in residential areas and reduce carbon emissions.
The zones, originally introduced by Mr Khan in London, have since been rolled out to places like Oxford, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield with DfT funding.
Earlier this month, Mark Harper, The transport minister told The Telegraph he has ended public funding for projects «that deal with… banning cars or making it difficult for motorists.»
He suggested that local authorities now consider phasing out existing LTNs where they are unpopular and have been implemented without sufficient consultation with local residents.
However, a review at the behest of Mr. Sunak could lead to government intervention to stop existing schemes, including by issuing advice to councils that those without local support should be disposed of.
The source said: “He [the prime minister] is particularly concerned about LTNs who are not allow vehicles wider than a bicycle to pass through — blocking delivery vans, cars for the elderly and families, and sometimes ambulances.»
In a letter to the Prime Minister hosted by the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, led by Craig McKinley, and Conservative Way Forward. , a campaign group, 42 MPs warn that a 2030 ban on gasoline cars will cause «serious harm to the economy.»
Signatories include former ministers Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, David Davies, and Esther McVeigh, as well as Red Wall MPs Leah Niki and Marco Longhi.
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