Reform UK to end 'war on motorists' by banning Ulez and 20mph speed limits 'forcing drivers off the road'
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Low Traffic Neighbourhoods will also be scrapped under Reform plans
Reform UK has pledged to scrap London's Ultra Low Emission Zone and the ban on petrol and diesel cars in its manifesto announcement.
Party leader Nigel Farage said Reform UK would end the war on motorists and all unfair anti-driver schemes in place.
This includes removing all Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and scrapping net zero goals which have been putting more pressure on drivers to buy an electric car.
The manifesto detailed how their plan would mean the 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be scrapped and the removal of legal requirements for manufacturers to sell electric cars.
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Reform UK also promised to remove the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars
PAThe ban on petrol and diesel cars forms part of the Government’s 2035 net zero goal which would see all new cars and vans move to electric.
The goal, however, would require car manufacturers to have at least 22 per cent of new car sales be electric by this year to stay on track.
The removal of the Ulez scheme in London is something so far only Reform UK have pledged to do, with the Conservatives saying it would reverse the expansion, but still keep the original charging area.
A Freedom of Information request found that out of the 1,348,938 penalties issued for breaking Ulez rules since its expansion, 974,590 have still not been paid, showing driver discontent.
Shockingly, out of the outstanding tickets, 200 have been issued to a single vehicle with total costs topping £47,682.
Meanwhile, Reform UK also said it would remove 20mph limits for drivers but would keep speed limits low where “safety is critical”, otherwise, the zones will be scrapped.
20mph roads have been heavily criticised across the UK, particularly in Wales where drivers have been forced to abide by the mandatory speed limits since last year, although these measures are in the process of being removed.
The Welsh Government said it has listened to the people and is working with councils to deliver “targeted change” after the controversial rollout of 20mph roads.
Farage explained in the manifesto:“The unprecedented population explosion has pushed Britain to the breaking point.
“There’s a housing crisis. A benefits crisis. Record crime. Record NHS waiting lists. Wages are stagnating.
“Net zero has sent energy costs soaring. It is making us poorer and colder, damaging British industry and forcing drivers off the road.”
At the beginning of the year, party chairman Richard Tice said Reform UK would also cut fuel duty by 20p to help combat the expensive costs drivers are facing at fuel stations.
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Reform UK pledged to also cut fuel duty by 20p for drivers
GETTYIn response to the manifesto, Matt Finch, UK policy manager at Transport & Environment, commented that it was concerning to see the “sheer number” of policies in the document that would make the environment and climate change worse.
Finch added that electric vehicles are “dirt cheap” to run and will increasingly be powered by “clean, green British electron”.
He warned that it's “especially concerning” to see policies that would make Britons more reliant on “volatile fossil fuel prices while in the middle of a cost of living crisis".