Steering out of chaos

At last, someone is getting a grip on the chaos on Britain’s roads. Since the start of the pandemic, drivers have been subjected to a gamut of ridiculous new restrictions on their ability to get around. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, decided that Covid necessitated a transformation in travel, and called on local authorities to refashion their roads, with the aim of making it easier to walk and cycle. The result has been a mess: road closures that have merely diverted traffic onto other routes and caused congestion, “pop-up” cycle lanes that are rarely used, and street narrowing programmes that have put people off visiting local high streets.

Now Mr Shapps has written to local authorities demanding a change in approach. This is extremely welcome. While emphasising the Government’s support for motorists, he says he is not prepared to tolerate schemes that fail to consult local residents or which inconvenience drivers while providing little benefit to either cyclists or walkers.

It is disturbing, however, that the Government is reportedly demanding a massive extension of London’s congestion charge zone as a condition of yet another bailout for the capital’s transport system. Transport for London is in desperate financial straits because of the mismanagement of mayor Sadiq Khan and a collapse in the usage of the Tube and buses. Why should drivers be punished for that, especially when unionised public transport workers continue to receive overly-generous salaries? The Prime Minister must intervene to save the city he used to run. His Government is bound to be blamed if a crippling car poll tax is imposed on London.