Sunak puts car drivers first in new election battle line

Rishi Sunak is to prioritise the interests of millions of car owners with a series of measures that will provoke environmentalists and curb the power of local councils.

- Peter Walker

In a package expected to be announced at the Conservative party conference on Monday, the prime minister will set out his "plan for motorists", which would limit the number of 20mph speed restrictions and favour drivers over bus passengers.

The move would be hugely controversial, setting ministers on a collision course with local authorities, who rely on their powers to keep bus lanes traffic free.

Sunak's plan is the latest in a recent series of contentious policy ideas, such as his watering down of net zero targets, designed to revive his government and create clear dividing lines with Labour. He has also raised the prospect of paring back the hugely over-budget HS2 rail line though he refused to provide clarity on his plans yesterday.

In a marathon media round, during which Sunak carried out 34 separate interviews with local BBC and ITV outlets, the prime minister was repeatedly questioned over the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the HS2 rail link, refusing to commit to it on more than a dozen occasions.

The plan for motorists is expected to include moves to limit English councils' powers to put 20mph speed limits on main roads, and to restrict the number of hours a day that car traffic is banned from bus lanes.

It is also understood to include curbs on local authorities' ability to impose fines, and thus raise revenue, from traffic infractions caught by automatic number plate recognition cameras, and on the use of such cameras in box junctions.