Labour has abandoned Conservative proposals that would have restricted local authorities' abilities to create Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and implement 20mph speed limits.
The reforms, which have been quietly shelved, were designed to limit councils' powers to impose traffic restrictions and issue what the Conservatives described as "unfair" penalties and parking fees.
The abandoned measures formed part of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Plan for Drivers, unveiled in October 2023, which aimed to make it more difficult for local authorities to introduce schemes that restrict vehicle access.
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Conservative politicians have responded furiously to the decision, with accusations that the Labour Government is pursuing anti-motorist policies without public consultation or manifesto commitments.
The Conservatives have attacked Labour over the decision to axe rules around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph roads
|PA/GETTY
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden launched a scathing attack on the decision, accusing Labour of conducting a "secret war on drivers" that wasn't disclosed in their election manifesto.
He told The Telegraph: "Labour has been caught red-handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists."
The Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay characterised the decision as "a kick in the teeth to motorists" and warned it would "punish beleaguered local high streets and will slam the brakes on the economy even more than Rachel Reeves has done so far".
Mr Holden claimed that while the Conservatives had "led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement", their efforts had been "ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge".
READ MORE: Sadiq Khan demands more 20mph speed limits to help curb car use - 'The evidence is clear!'
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are common around London
| PAThe Conservative proposals would have introduced mandatory requirements for councils planning LTNs, including compulsory public meetings with residents and leafleting every household in affected areas.
Draft guidance had been prepared to ensure authorities focused more heavily on the opinions of residents and businesses.
The abandoned reforms also included new guidance aimed at preventing what the Conservatives termed the "inappropriate blanket use of 20mph zones", following controversy over Wales's Labour administration implementing default 20mph limits across all previously 30mph areas in 2023.
That Welsh policy has faced significant backlash, with Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates acknowledging that "more common sense" should have been applied, and the Senedd is currently reviewing the measures.
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Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood defended the Government's position, stating that the Conservative proposals "would have made no positive difference for drivers" and dismissed them as "speculative suggestions".
The MP for Nottingham South confirmed that work on the draft guidance has been "put on hold and the Government is now considering appropriate next steps", emphasising that "local authorities are responsible for managing their roads and are accountable to their communities".
Transport Minister Lord Hendy reinforced this stance, asserting that "traffic management measures such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best".
Labour maintains that it has "no current plans" to review existing guidance on 20mph speed limits in England, with Greenwood stating that "traffic authorities are best placed to decide where lower limits will be effective".
Labour confirmed that it would be moving forward with a new road safety strategy by the end of the year
| GETTYThe abandoned Conservative measures extended beyond LTNs and speed limits to include restrictions on "15-minute cities", a concept enabling residents to access essential services within a quarter-hour walk or cycle from their homes.
The Tories had also planned to revoke councils' access to DVLA data, which authorities use to enforce traffic filters associated with these schemes.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The Government is absolutely on the side of drivers, focusing on making journeys safer and smoother, and saving motorists money.
"Meanwhile, we are making our roads safer to drive on and will set out the next steps for the first road safety strategy in over a decade in due course."