The Government has announced a new 30-point plan it says will support drivers with easier parking, smoother journeys and fairer traffic enforcement.

To read all about the plan click here

The plan includes measures that could help councils increase spending on fixing potholes and road repairs, such as fining companies for overrunning roadworks.

It also features funding to improve traffic lights and signals, as well as measures to speed up the installation of chargepoints for electric vehicles.

Mark Harper, transport secretary, said: “We’re backing drivers and our new long-term plan will improve journeys for millions across the country, whether they’re commuting to work or college, parking up for a day trip, or charging their electric car. 

“Our plan for drivers will support thousands of skilled jobs and help grow the economy, sitting alongside our continued record investment in public transport and active travel – ensuring people have the freedom to travel how they want.”

The plan centres around five key areas: making journeys smoother, stopping ‘unfair’ enforcement, making parking easier, tackling inconsiderate driving and supporting the transition to zero emission driving.

A total of £70 million will be provided to councils this financial year through three different schemes to invest in improving traffic lights and signals, including AI tech to optimise traffic flow in city centres.

The plan also reveals the intention to digitise traffic regulation orders, to pave the way for autonomous vehicles and ensure satnavs have the most up-to-date information on the location of parking spaces, road closures and speed limits.

Other measures to make journey smoother include:

• strengthening guidance to make sure bus lanes operate only when buses are running
• guiding local authorities on allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes and holding a consultation about whether motorcycle access should be standard
• permitting red flashing lights for breakdown vehicles, helping to protect recovery drivers by making them more visible at the roadside
• supporting councils to introduce more lane rental schemes, which reduce roadworks by incentivising utilities to avoid the busiest roads at the busiest times
• consulting on requiring local authorities with lane rental schemes to use at least 50% of any surplus on pothole repairs or resurfacing
• consulting on extending fines for overrunning street works at weekends and increasing fixed penalty notices

With regards to ‘stopping unfair enforcement’, the plan sets out the following measures::

• issuing 20mph zone guidance for England to help prevent ‘inappropriate blanket use’.
• consulting on measures including the removal of local authorities’ access to DVLA data to enforce such schemes by camera
• focusing on the importance of local support and consider as part of the LTN review how to address existing LTNs that have not secured local consent
• strengthening government and sector-led guidance on enforcement of moving traffic offences such as entering yellow box junctions, to ensure consistency and stop drivers from being penalised unfairly