In an interview, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced his intention to put a stop to schemes like Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and 20-mile-per-hour (mph) zones being implemented in a blanket way. He criticized these schemes as “harebrained” and accused politicians of making short-term decisions without considering their impact on ordinary people. He emphasized that while some traffic-restricting schemes around schools make sense, local communities should not have these schemes forced upon them. As part of his plan to achieve net-zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050, Mr. Sunak ordered a review of LTNs. This move comes after the Conservatives faced two by-election defeats and held onto a third seat due to local opposition to London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion.
The LTNs are similar to the concept of a 15-minute city and use barriers, planters, bollards, or road signs to prevent motor vehicles from entering certain areas either permanently or during specific times. The scheme was initially inspired by Mr. Khan’s Mini-Holland projects, which aimed to create Dutch-style cycle infrastructure in outer London boroughs. Westminster began funding these schemes in 2020 as part of a £5 billion package to improve bus and cycle links outside of London. The Department for Transport has stated that the scheme would reduce car dependency, pollution, traffic danger, congestion, and promote healthier lifestyles. However, critics argue that these issues are simply displaced and that businesses within the zones suffer.
Earlier this year, Transport Secretary Mark Harper ended central government funding for LTNs and called for a review of the schemes due to concerns about adequate consultation during their implementation. In Wales, a 20 mph speed limit on all restricted roads was implemented on September 17. The Labour-run Welsh government introduced this policy to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph, and it received support from the Senedd. However, some residents have reported negative impacts, such as more overtaking, tailgating, and less careful driving. Road safety experts believe that targeted 20 mph limits in high-risk locations are more effective than blanket limits without physical changes to road layouts.
In addition to addressing traffic-restricting schemes, The Sun reports that Prime Minister Sunak plans to crack down on local councils in England that enforce parking and yellow-box junction rules with excessive fines. Utility firms conducting roadworks during peak times will also face higher charges, with the funds being allocated for pothole repairs.