Labour hits drivers with 20mph limits

LABOUR councils have been accused of “clobbering” motorists by imposing 20mph speed limits across huge swathes of England.

The curb became default in Wales last year, despite a petition signed by 469,571 people opposed to the initiative.

And Tories warn that an increasing number of Left-wing councils are also bringing in the restriction, with 30 Labour-run or Labour-lib Dem coalition authorities imposing it on some roads so far.

During a local election campaign visit, Rishi Sunak condemned plans by Coventry City Council for a 20mph limit on 40 roads.

The Prime Minister said: “These should not be imposed in a top-down, blanket fashion against the will of local communities.”

But Birmingham already has a 20mph limit in parts of the city, and Southampton is introducing one. It has already been brought in by Brighton and Hove. Cambridgeshire County Council, run by a Labour-lib Dem coalition, is spending £150,000 a year on the zones, while London’s Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, has imposed the curb on 137 miles of the capital’s roads.

Harrow East Conservative MP Bob Blackman said: “These 20mph zones are sensible in some areas, such as outside schools, but you don’t need them in normal residential streets. This is just nonsense and basically a money-making exercise clobbering motorists with fines.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has written to local councils insisting that 20mph should only be brought in “where they are sensible and appropriate, not on all roads”.

But campaign group 20’s Plenty argues the measure leads to “fewer casualties, lower emissions and more active travel”, with casualties falling by up to 30 per cent.

A Government source said: “Our Plan for Drivers has strengthened guidance to councils, so they should only put 20mph limits in places where they make sense, with implications for their future levels of funding if they impose blanket 20mph limits.”