Government support for 20mph zones and LTNs
- Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, announces full support for local authorities wanting to implement more 20mph zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).
- The Tory clampdown on LTNs is set to be scrapped, indicating a shift towards promoting safer and greener traffic measures.
- This change is expected to have a positive impact on improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion in local neighborhoods.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has expressed her strong backing for local authorities seeking to implement more 20mph speed limits and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs). Speaking on August 21, 2024, Haigh announced her commitment to overturning previous government restrictions that limited councils' abilities to introduce these measures, emphasizing that decisions regarding traffic management should be made at the community level rather than dictated from central government. Haigh criticized the Conservative Party for fostering divisive "culture wars" surrounding anti-motorist policies, asserting that local communities are best positioned to determine their own traffic regulations. She stated, “Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities,” reinforcing her belief in local governance over central mandates. In addition to her support for local initiatives, Haigh hinted at potential funding for these schemes in the upcoming budget to be presented by Rachel Reeves on October 30. She argued that it was inappropriate for the previous administration to impose restrictions from Whitehall, insisting that local areas should have the autonomy to decide on traffic measures that suit their needs. Furthermore, Haigh reaffirmed her support for a target established under Boris Johnson’s government, which aims for half of all journeys in England’s towns and cities to be made by walking and cycling by 2030, highlighting the government's commitment to promoting sustainable transport options.