Victory for drivers!: Rishi Sunak announces a review of the roll out of ‘low-traffic neighborhoods’ as Prime Minister says he is ‘on the side of motorists’

• Prime Minister took aim at Labour ULEZ policies calling them ‘anti-motorist’
• READ MORE: Ministers could ban councils from bringing in low-traffic schemes 

Rishi Sunak has declared he is on the side of drivers as he announced a review of the roll out of low-traffic neighbourhoods across the country.

The Prime Minister announced that he has ordered the Department for Transport to review LTN policies, which have proven unpopular among drivers and controversial in some communities.

He said: ‘The vast majority of people in the country use their cars to get around and are dependent on their cars. When I’m lucky enough to get home to North Yorkshire it’s more representative of how most of the country is living, where cars are important.

‘I just want to make sure people know that I’m on their side in supporting them to use their cars to do all the things that matter to them.’

He also used the interview with the Sunday Telegraph to slam the Labour party as ‘quite anti-motorist’ amid anger over ULEZ expansion in London.

But in the same interview, Mr Sunak knocked back calls to change one major green policy – the 2030 deadline for a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.

The Prime Minister announced that he has ordered the Department for Transport to review LTN policies

He said: ‘The 2030 target has been our policy for a long time and continues to be. We are not considering a delay to that date.’ 

The spread of LTNs in recent months has proven controversial in certain localities and has emerged as a concern among some on the right of the Conservative Party. 

LTNs are used by local councils attempt limit traffic in town and city centres – with drivers often prevented from using quiet residential roads as through-routes.

The measures are also designed to encourage uptake of other modes of transport.

Downing Street said this week that councils must ensure traffic restrictions ‘work for local people’ before imposing them. 

The adoption of the polices has attracted the ire of some Tory MPs, who have criticised the measures as attacks on motorists.

Conservative MP Nick Fletcher suggested in the Commons earlier this year that traffic control plans being mooted by local councils across the UK were part of an ‘international socialist concept’ which would take away personal liberties. 

LTNs are used by local councils attempt limit traffic in town and city centres – with drivers often prevented from using quiet residential roads as through-routes

Mr Sunak’s latest pitch to motorists and car owners comes after the Conservatives’ narrow victory in the Uxbridge and Ruislip by-election earlier this month, which saw the Tory candidate tap into local concerns about the expansion of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez).

That success has seen some Tory MPs on the right of the party urge Mr Sunak to engage in a rethink on net zero, amid hopes of attacking Labour’s green ambitions.

Mr Sunak doubled-down on attacks on Sir Keir Starmer amid the row over the Ulez scheme, which is being pushed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The Labour leader and other senior party have called on Mr Khan to reflect on the policy following the Uxbridge defeat.

The capital’s mayor has promised to listen to Londoners, while also stressing the urgent need to clean up the city’s air.

‘I’ve become slightly more alarmed by the Labour Party’s position. It’s quite anti-motorist,’ Mr Sunak said.

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