Councils, not Whitehall, should be trusted to make decisions about local transport issues with their residents, the LGA has said, in response to the Government’s ‘Plan for drivers’.
The plan, announced at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, proposes restricting the ability of councils to enforce 20 mph zones on main roads and moving traffic infringements in yellow box junctions.
Other proposals include a consultation on removing councils’ access to the national automatic number plate recognition database, which can be used to issue fixed penalty notices for certain motoring offences; and restricting the hours bus lanes operate.
The proposals follow previous announcements, including an extension from 2030 to 2035 on banning the sale of new electric and diesel cars.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, the LGA’s Transport Spokesperson, said: “Councils want to work with the Government to make our roads safe and attractive for everyone who uses them.
“However, it is councils – who know their communities best – that should be trusted to make local transport decisions with their local residents, not Whitehall.
“They must continue to have the ability to work with local residents on any measures which can help improve road safety and air quality and reduce congestion.
“Removing the ability of all councils to enforce moving traffic violations would be a backwards step that will risk creating a two-tier transport system between London and the rest of the country.”