Damien Moore MP welcomes the Government’s proposed measures to tackle ‘anti-motorist’ road and traffic enforcement schemes across Southport

Damien Moore MP welcomes the Government’s proposed measures to tackle ‘anti-motorist’ road and traffic enforcement schemes across Southport.

Local Member of Parliament Damien Moore has welcomed new measures by the Government to tackle anti-motorist road schemes and traffic enforcement, helping to reduce journey times for motorists as part of our long-term Plan for Drivers.

Draft statutory guidance for councils has been published on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that there must be community engagement and support for proposed schemes to ensure every LTN has local consent and support prior to implementation.

The guidance will come into force this summer to tackle recent problems highlighted with councils introducing LTNs without public consultation and support, causing significant disruption for local drivers and commercial entities. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the negative consequences for local residents, particularly disabled residents, and the delays caused to emergency service responses caught up in LTNs, risking lives.

The aim is to prevent councils having to reverse poorly implemented or locally unpopular schemes. Councils are also receiving strengthened guidance on setting 20mph speed limits, reminding them they should only be used in sensible and appropriate areas such as outside schools, and where safety and local support is at the heart of the decision.

Alongside driving schemes, consultations are being launched to tackle overzealous enforcement and prevent local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by profiting from traffic restrictions. £50 million has also been announced to upgrade traffic lights across 80 highway authorities, improving journey times and reducing congestion caused by red lights. 

These announcements are part of the Government’s 30-point Plan for Drivers, which is already making progress to benefit motorists. Measures to crackdown on disruptive street works will reduce unnecessary delays to journeys, and grants for schools have been launched to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicles charge points, making it easier for drivers to make the switch. 

Commenting, Local Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, said: 

“While I continue to campaign for the re-connection of the Burscough Curves, integrating Southport with Lancashire’s greater transport and economic corridor, Southport’s residents remain dependent on daily personal car usage to commute, visit, and shop across our constituency. 

“This is why I fully support the Government’s proposal to crack down on disruptive street works, LTNs, and unnecessary traffic control measures imposed by Sefton Council, including, but not limited to, the planned expansion of dangerous cycle lane routes across Southport, further congesting our transportation networks while limited emergency service accessibility to Southport Hospital.

“I will continue to petition the Government to invest in reconnecting the Burscough Curves Rail Link, reconnecting our rural and urban communities and economies, and prevent Sefton Council from further expanding their dangerous, anti-business Eastern Access Cycle Lane expansion programme, causing yet more congestion and delays for Southport’s commuters.”

Commenting, Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP said:

“We want local people to have their voices heard, and any traffic schemes to have the consent of those they impact. 

“Well thought out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community. 

“We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers – making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them.”