Simon Jupp finds a cause: not health, not cost of living, not levelling up, not saving the planet but the motorist! – Owl

Majority who rely on cars shouldn’t have to face anti-driver policies

Simon Jupp www.devonlive.com

As we all know, the way people travel in rural East Devon is not the same as urban London. In East Devon, over half of people in employment travel to work by driving a car or van.

This Conservative government is continuing to back motorists across the UK. Most people across the UK still rely on cars to get from A to B, and 50 million people in Great Britain hold a driving licence. It’s why successive Conservative Chancellors – dating back to 2011 – have frozen fuel duty to soften prices at the pumps. As Chancellor, Rishi Sunak went even further and cut fuel duty by 5p to protect the pounds in drivers’ pockets early last year.

And, this week, a new long-term plan to back drivers and put the brakes on anti-car measures was announced by Transport Secretary Mark Harper. The measures include reviewing guidance on 20mph speed limits in England to prevent their blanket use in areas where it’s not appropriate, and amending guidance on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) to ensure local support. I firmly believe that local traffic measures need to work for residents, businesses, and emergency services – rather than council planners.

Drivers across the country will also soon be able to benefit from new technology to simplify parking payments. I know it’s incredibly annoying to park using one app in East Devon but another in Lyme Regis over the border in Dorset. The national parking platform pilot will be rolled out nationwide so that drivers can use an app of their choice to pay instead of downloading multiple apps.

And, in the continued drive to tackle potholes, the government will support councils to introduce more lane rental schemes, where utility companies are required to pay to dig up the busiest roads at peak times. Under the proposals, at least half of the extra money raised from these fees will go directly towards repairing road surfaces. Backing drivers sits alongside the continued investment in public transport and active travel.

As popular as the car is in East Devon, catching the bus is certainly an affordable alternative as the government’s £2 fare cap continues to keep costs down. After many previous meetings with Stagecoach bosses, I was really pleased when evening bus services serving Sidbury and Ottery St Mary were reinstated and a 15 minute frequency brought in for the 57 between Exeter and Exmouth – a route that has seen 30% passenger growth.

As a Devon MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Great South West, I have also been campaigning for government funding for a new railway station for Cullompton. Following my meetings with the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and Rail Minister, I am hoping for progress soon.