The Transport Secretary has fired back at critics who accuse the Government of waging a war on motorists, vowing that, under Labour leadership, this would never happen.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the Government’s upcoming plans for the transport sector.
This included greater decarbonisation efforts in the aviation industry and returning the UK’s rail network back into the hands of public ownership.
One of the key points emphasised by the Labour MP for Swindon South was a clear rejection of the so-called “war on motorists”.
Labour has frequently been accused of waging war on millions of motorists across the UK with unfair road policies and daily costs.
In response, the Transport Secretary said: “Let me be clear. Under this Government, there is no such thing as a war on the motorist. Never has been, never will be.
“I drive, but guess what, I walk and I cycle too. And so, does our brilliant Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood. We both take buses, we both take trains, trams, and taxis too.
“So let’s dispense with the imaginary problems that are conjured up by conspiracies and cranks, and let’s focus on solving the real-world problems instead.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander denied claims of Labour embarking on a ‘war on motorists’
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The Conservatives have also been explicit in their support for drivers, with their manifesto in 2024 calling for an end to road pricing.
It added that it would reverse London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and install local referendums for any changes to 20mph speed limits and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
The Ulez scheme was frequently targeted by Reform UK prior to last year’s election, with the Nigel Farage-led party pledging to end the war on motorists.
Under Reform’s plans, any anti-driver schemes would be scrapped, in addition to similar decisions on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
Labour has pledged billions of pounds for local authorities to repair roads and fill in potholes
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KWIK FITReform also stated that it would end the deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, in addition to removing legal requirements for manufacturers to sell electric cars.
In her speech to the Labour Party conference, Heidi Alexander acknowledged that issues on roads across the UK were having an impact on millions of journeys every day.
Ms Alexander continued, saying: “This Labour Government knows that poorly maintained roads not only risk lives, but also cost families and businesses hundreds of pounds in costly garage trips.
“That’s why we’re ending the pothole plague. We’re handing councils the cash and certainty they need to mend our broken roads.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Autumn Statement last year that the Government would provide a £500million cash increase for local highways maintenance funding for 2024-2025.
Labour also outlined that it would be cracking down on local authorities that fail to use Government funds to repair roads in the coming months and years.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We’re already investing £1.6billion this year to help local authorities resurface local roads. That will fix the equivalent of up to seven million extra potholes over the next financial year.
“With the average driver forking out up to £1,000 to repair serious pothole damage, we know that fixing cratered roads is not just about pride in our communities, but putting money back in people’s pockets and delivering the Plan for Change.”