The Conservative Party has also said it would “unilaterally reverse” the latest expansion of the capital’s controversial Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), even though London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan was re-elected last year with expansion as a key policy. However, the Conservatives say that the impact of ULEZ has only resulted in a “‘moderate’ to ‘minor’ impact on emissions” and while the government does not yet have the power to reverse the scheme, the new Backing Driver’s Bill would give it the means to do so
Outside the Backing Drivers Bill, the Conservatives have promised to enable mayors and local authorities to bypass current restrictions and build ‘strategic’ new roads in order to improve traffic flow. The party has also doubled down on its £8.3 billion pledge – funded by the cancellation of the second phase of HS2 – to address the UK’s pothole problem.
Finally, the Conservatives have reaffirmed their commitment to PumpWatch – the scheme that aims to provide all motorists with live fuel pricing data – as well as the development of a universal National Parking Platform app, which is being designed to simplify the payment process at public car parks.
The announcement of the Conservative Party manifesto comes a day after the Liberal Democrats unveiled their plans which included a reinstatement of the EV plug-in car grant. More of the major parties are expected to announce their election manifestos later this week, with Labour’s conference scheduled for Thursday 13 June.
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