Shapps berates councils for traffic controls
Transport Secretary states he will scap worst systems installed under his £250m ‘cycling and walking’ fund
GRANT SHAPPS has warned councils to stop abusing the £250million fund meant for a green transport revolution by installing pointless one-way systems and barriers that offer “no benefit to anyone”.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the Transport Secretary says he will personally intervene to scrap the worst examples where local authorities have ruined high streets and residential roads in an attempt to build cycle lanes and promote social distancing for pedestrians.
His comments come after a series of petitions attracted thousands of signatures from people across the country who fear councils are pandering to the cycle lobby.
Campaign groups representing the disabled, small business owners, pollution activists and motorists have criticised the schemes for being rushed through with little or no consultation.
Many have claimed traffic congestion has been shifted elsewhere, while pollution has increased and many high street shops are struggling to emerge from lockdown because parking spaces have disappeared. In some London boroughs, planters closing off roads have been vandalised amid concerns emergency vehicle response times have plummeted as firefighters and paramedics have encountered new road layouts.
Mr Shapps announced the £250million scheme to promote “a new era for cycling and walking” at the height of lockdown in May.
But today, Mr Shapps stresses how “not everything has worked” and because they are trials and the height of the Covid emergency has now passed there is ample opportunity for councils to consult local residents, businesses and the disabled. In a direct message to council leaders, he says: “Where some councils have abused the cash, my message is clear: speak to local residents, get it fixed or no more cash.”
He adds that while some schemes had been “done well”, in the worst cases “a number of them will be coming out soon”.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed in July how the minister had personally intervened in his own constituency after being dismayed with the way Hertfordshire County Council had set up a one-way system in the village of Welwyn which was said to have left the high street deserted.
He writes: “Some councils have introduced random one-way systems, which don’t seem to offer many benefits to anyone. Some of those plastic barriers that have gone up in town centres to widen the pavements can actually prevent pedestrians, including disabled people, crossing the road.
“They narrow the carriageway for traffic, causing congestion and increasing danger for cyclists.
“They reduce parking for essential visits to the pharmacy or dentist or doctor. And they don’t seem to be much used by pedestrians either.”
The minister said while many green activists claim the car should “die”, he believes it should instead “evolve” to help save the planet.
He also said it was essential to “keep the main arteries of our economy flowing” at this pivotal time as Britain emerges from lockdown and prepares for Brexit. However, the Road Haulage Association remained adamant last night that more needed to be done to ease congestion after it had seen its members, particularly in London, complaining how journey times were increasing.
“We don’t believe that the Government has thought through the practical reality or economic consequences of reducing road space for vehicles,” an Association spokesman said.
“This will only lead to increased congestion and delays to deliveries – all of which increases the costs of moving goods – and somebody’s got to pay for that.”