I support investment in public transport and having viable alternatives to using a car, but am opposed to punitive measures against motorists, that left-wing councils and left-wing councillors like to implement.  I remember only too well the attempt by Crawley’s Labour council to force a so-called ‘mini Holland’ scheme on our town, that would have intentionally hindered motorists and made journeys longer, adding to congestion and pollution.

I also recall the ludicrous so-called ‘pop up cycle lane’ in Three Bridges that saw hardly any cyclists use it, which saw significant traffic jams and congestion.  Despite this, Labour councillors made representations for it to continue for longer.

Thankfully we were successful in facing down these assaults on Crawley motorists, but in London we’ve recently had Labour mayor Sadiq Khan’s whole-London expansion of the ULEZ zone, which is having impacts for motorists in areas like Crawley that are not far away.  Further afield in Wales, the Labour government there are blowing through £40 million to introduce blanket 20mph speed limits, which could potentially cost the Welsh economy £4.5 billion, according to analysis from the Welsh government.

We know what Labour like to do to motorists, so therefore I welcome the new guidance published by the Conservative government, cracking down on anti-driver road schemes and giving local people a stronger voice, as we strive to make travelling easier, fairer and cheaper for all.

This strengthened guidance around so-called Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and 20mph speed limits, will put local people at the heart of decisions.  Draft statutory guidance for councils has been published on LTNs to involve the whole community in the process and ensure the scheme has support before it is implemented.  The guidance on 20mph limits has also been strengthened, so they are only used in sensible and appropriate areas, such as outside of schools, with safety and local support at the heart of the decision.

I also welcome our government consulting on the use of traffic enforcement for profit, as we seek to prevent drivers from being treated as ‘cash cows’ to raise money, rather than focusing on road safety.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

20th March 2024