Black Country MP and former Transport Minister today
attacked the Government over ‘anti-car’ measures.
In Parliament, Spellar claimed the Government was using the cover
of the Coronavirus pandemic to push through road-blocking
measures – giving the examples of Tollhouse Way in Smethwick and
Park Lane in London creating ‘traffic jams, longer journey times
and increasing pollution’.
He called on the Secretary of State for Transport to ‘to get a
grip on this situation and get our roads moving again’.
ENDS
:
Thank you Mr Speaker. Under the cover of COVID, the Transport
Department has been pushing councils to bypass normal procedures
to rush in anti-car roadblocking measures. Two prime examples are
on the dual carriageway in Smethwick - Tollhouse Way, and in
London on the route to the M40 - Park Lane. These are creating
traffic jams, longer journey times and increasing pollution. When
is the Secretary of State going to get a grip on this situation
and get our roads moving again?
Minister : Well the Rt. Hon. Gentleman is right to
highlight our focus on encouraging active travel through a huge
investment in cycling and walking which has been welcomed by
communities up and down the country. However, we are aware of
some schemes - such as the ones he highlighted - where better
consultation with local communities and businesses would have
resulted in better schemes. So we do take the opportunity to
remind local communities to consult fully before implementing
them.
