What has the Conservative party done in the past?
The Tories have traditionally pitched themselves as the motorist’s friend and the 1980s government famously praised the “great car economy”.
- Industrial policy attracted transplant car factories, which boosted Britain’s car industry.
- During their 18-year stretch in office in the ’80s and ’90s, the Tories encouraged motorway building and finished the M25 and M40. They also triggered the Birmingham Northern Relief toll road, which arrived 24 years later.
- But the support for roads created hardcore green opposition and violent protests marked the end of new m-ways.
- Then chancellor Ken Clarke introduced the fuel tax escalator and the Tories even proposed local road-charging schemes using windscreen-mounted smart cards.
- Speed cameras and speed humps were also introduced under the Conservatives, although they later said they regretted the way they had been deployed by some local councils.
- The Conservatives also decriminalised parking offences in 1991, sparking a massive rise in the number of fines issued by local councils, who see the application of ever-more obscure parking regulations as a cash cow.
Statement from Tory transport spokesperson Theresa Villiers
"A Conservative government will take action on the causes of unnecessary driving hassle by making the people who dig up our roads accountable for the congestion caused.
“We would give people the chance to campaign for the removal of excessive traffic lights and support innovation from local councils to get traffic flowing smoothly. We will also crack down on rogue clampers by regulating the industry.
“We would consult on a fair fuel stabiliser to cut fuel duty when oil prices rise. This will ensure families and businesses are less exposed to volatile oil markets.
“We say enough is enough to new fixed speed cameras. The government’s own studies show that they are not the best way of keeping our roads safe. So a Conservative government would not fund any new fixed speed cameras.
“We’ll also give the energy companies incentives to install charging points to help people switch to greener electric cars.”
Click here to read Labour's track record on transport, plus a statement from the current transport ministerClick here to read the Liberal Democrats' track record on transport, plus a statement from its transport spokesperson
