THE GOVERNMENT should not “interfere” with road rules, a leading councillor has said – after the prime minister threatened to end 20mph speed limit zones and low traffic neighbourhoods.
Last week, Rishi Sunak was reported to be considering restricting councils’ abilities to impose the lower speed limits, according to The Guardian newspaper.
It would be part of a crackdown on environmental traffic measures such as London’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ). Mr Sunak has already ordered a review into low traffic neighbourhoods – council schemes to restrict cars on certain streets.
The move against speed limits would mean allowing the government to muscle in on councils’ powers to manage roads in their areas.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member responsible for roads, felt the government should back off as councils know their areas best.
“The government should not be trying to interfere with local attempts to protect residents’ health and encourage active lifestyles,” he said. “We are responsible for the roads in our area and have the best understanding of local conditions and our residents’ needs.”
He added that recent government moves against traffic measures were short sighted – as council rules can ease congestion, improve the environment, and benefit health.
“In 2020 the government committed to making it safer and easier to walk and cycle local journeys, to benefit health, the environment and ease pressure on roads,” Cllr Fishwick said. “What is being proposed now by central government is extremely short-sighted and contradictory to their previous commitments.
“Many of the measures the government seems to want to reject play a part in reducing road congestion and opposing them won’t be in anyone’s interest, let alone motorists.”
