Motorway speed limit to be slashed to 55mph under Zack Polanski’s ‘war on motorists’ plans

Dan McDonald
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:42:42 +0000

Zack Polanski’s Green Party is proposing to slash motorway speed limits to 55mph as part of a sweeping transport overhaul.

The plans would also see fuel duty rise over time, parking spaces reduced nationwide, and drivers forced to resit their tests every five years.

In the policy document, the party describes driving as "not a right but a privilege".

Dual carriageways would face the same 15mph cut, while 20mph limits would be introduced in built-up areas, mirroring the controversial Welsh policy.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The Conservatives have branded the proposals a “war on drivers”, accusing the Greens of trying to “make driving slower, more expensive and, in many cases, impossible”.

The Greens insist the measures are evidence-based and would improve safety while reducing fuel costs.

Their policy notes: “On major roads outside of built up areas, the maximum speed limit allowed would be 55mph, to maximise the efficiency of fuel use as well as improving safety.”

The strategy centres on “demand management” to reduce both traffic speeds and vehicle numbers.

On fuel duty, the party said: “Road fuel tax is an important factor in encouraging users to be more mileage conscious and to opt for smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

"The Green Party would increase road fuel tax incrementally.”

The plans also include charging residents for on-street parking and tightening planning rules to reduce parking provision.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden hit out at the proposals, insisting they would “drive up costs for working families and bring the country to a standstill".

ZACK POLANSKI - READ THE LATEST:

Jeremy Clarkson tears apart Greens' manifesto as he mocks Zack Polanski: 'Pay tax to give to lazy!'

Zack Polanski's Greens plot to weaken laws for suspected terrorists

Zack Polanski proposes £8.4billion energy bill cap funded by tax changes

He added: "It is completely out of touch with how people live.

“Only the Conservatives will stand up for drivers, protect your freedom to move, and keep Britain moving.”

Former Green leader Baroness Natalie Bennett defended the approach, saying it would improve public transport and cut accidents.

“Green Party transport policy is focused on making public transport reliable, available, affordable and high quality,” she said.

“Evidence shows that many people would choose public transport if it were more convenient and better value.”

A separate Green Party policy document revealed in February suggests Zack Polanski’s party would offer illegal migrants free accommodation and a Universal Basic Income, with no requirement to seek work.

Under the proposals, migrants arriving in the UK without authorisation would be granted immediate access to NHS services and allowed to work without restriction, as part of the party’s vision for “a world without borders”.

The internal document also outlines plans to scrap immigration detention entirely and offer amnesty to migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected.