Councils will have to consider resident support over Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers – making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them Transport Secretary Mark Harper It comes after a review uncovered a raft of concerns over LTNs, including potential risk to life from emergency services delays, impact on disabled residents and high numbers of Penalty Charge Notices coming out of the schemes. The Conservatives’ latest attempt to dictate to local communities how to run their streets is a blatant and desperate attempt to distract people from a Government that has run out of road Louise Haigh, Shadow Transport Secretary “Well thought out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community. “We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers – making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them.” DfT have also announced traffic lights will be upgraded across the country and issued new guidance on bus lanes to make sure they only operate “when it makes sense”, like when traffic is heavy enough to delay buses. “We’re keen to see if this new technology goes some way towards resolving the issue and hope it can be rolled out quickly and efficiently.” Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said: “The best traffic management schemes are the ones which have undergone significant local consultation from their inception.” He added: “Allowing more councils to impose fines for yellow box junction offences has resulted in some drivers feeling that they are seen as ‘wallets on wheels’ by their local authority.” Mr Cousens said the majority of drivers “make honest mistakes” and providing warning letters to first-time offenders “would help educate the public whilst maintaining trust in town halls”.