Warning over onslaught of hated 20mph zones springing up around UK as Labour gives green light and risks backlash
DRIVERS are bracing for a surge of new 20mph zones after the Transport Secretary gave councils the green light.
Louise Haigh has risked a backlash after saying town halls have her “support” in creating more low-speed areas.
Many motorists hate the 20mph zones that already exist in parts of England, while the blanket limit in Wales is opposed by 70 per cent of voters.
Previous Tory PM Rishi Sunak had vowed to end “hare-brained” schemes including 20mph zones which he claimed were part of a “war on motorists”.
But Ms Haigh said that under her watch traffic speed limits would be “entirely up for local areas to decide”.
She told Bloomberg: “It was completely wrong for the previous government to say that they would dictate that from Whitehall.
“There’s no way me, sitting in my office in the DfT, can say ‘this road in Chester should be a 20mph road or not.’ It’s completely ridiculous.
She said if councils choose to implement restrictions then “that’s got my support.”
The 20mph zones have become a party political dividing line since the Labour government in Wales forced it upon all built-up areas in a bid to reduce crashes and noise pollution.
But since taking effect last September it has received an onslaught of criticism, with seven in 10 people against it, according to YouGov polling this week.
Many roads in England already have 20mph speed limits, especially in London.
Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whatley said: “There’s a time and a place for 20mph speed limits.
“But Labour don’t seem to get that not everywhere is a town centre.
“Walking and cycling simply aren’t feasible for millions of journeys people take every day, and punishing drivers won’t change that.
“Labour’s blanket 20mph speed limit in Wales has been a disaster. People hate it and it’s often just ignored.”