A few weeks ago, I prodded my “representative,” Jeremy Hunt MP, on the issue of our freedom to drive cars. I copied to him the letter I sent to the transport secretary, Mark Harper MP, which you can find here: https://libertarianism.uk/2023/02/17/an-open-letter-to-mark-harper-mp-secretary-of-state-for-transport/. Mr. Hunt replied yesterday. Here are his reply and my response to it. At least I got a substantive reply! I could dissect Mr. Hunt’s reply if I chose to. But I’ll leave you, my dear reader, to do that for yourself.
Dear Neil,
Thank you for your email regarding restrictions on car use
and 15-minute neighbourhoods. I apologise for the slight delay in getting back
to you.
I am aware of recent debates about the concept of
15-minute neighbourhoods and cities. I am also aware of the specific proposals
from Oxford City Council which I should note have not been funded by the
government.
However, as part of the Levelling Up Fund, the government
has provided funding for a 15-minute neighbourhood project in Newham. To be
clear, the concept I refer to is about ensuring that everyone has access to
everyday needs and essentials, such as shops, local parks or healthcare
facilities, within a 15-minute walk of their home. I believe we can all agree
on the benefits of improving local connectivity and ensuring day-to-day
essentials are easily accessible.
I understand that local authorities are encouraged to
focus on transport issues from the earliest stage in the planning system. The
National Planning Policy Framework advises that significant new housing
developments should be focused on locations which either are or can be made
sustainable and offer a genuine choice of transport modes. Public transport is
an important part of these developments, but I do not believe this means that
any restrictions on car use are being implemented.
I hope this explains the government’s position on this
matter, but as this is an issue you care deeply about I will continue to
monitor developments closely.
Finally, if you do not already receive it, would it be
helpful for you to receive my weekly update of events in Westminster and locally?
You can sign up here and can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you again for taking the time to raise your concerns
with me.
Best wishes,
Jeremy
The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt,
Member of Parliament for South West Surrey.
My reply (Sent Sat 11/03/2023 13:31)
Dear Mr Hunt,
To an extent the 15-minute cities and the traffic restrictions are separate issues, but they seem to have been rolled into one in the minds of many people, including those in Oxford. This is unsurprising, given that they are being pushed at the same time by the same parties, in that case Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council. And there is already talk of similar traffic schemes being extended to smaller Oxfordshire towns, such as Witney.
We can all see how dishonest Oxfordshire have been with
their pseudo-“consultation.” If local governments are behaving in these ways
towards the people they are supposed to serve, should national government not
step in and ensure that schemes such as these, which clearly do not have the
support of the people affected by them, are ditched?
While the 15-minute neighbourhood concept may be
appropriate in big cities or for new build, it is clearly unworkable in places
like Godalming. And restrictions on cars are a no-no where the public transport
is anything less than excellent. My concern is that there is rising pressure to
impose these kinds of policies in areas where they are not appropriate.
I wish I could share your apparent optimism when you say
“I do not believe this means that any restrictions on car use are being
implemented.” As you will know, Surrey County Council is a member of UK 100, a
group of councils who “have pledged to lead a rapid transition to Net Zero with
Clean Air in their communities ahead of the government’s legal target.” Waverley
Borough Council is not yet part of this organization, but that seems to be only
a matter of time. The way I see things developing, “Nett Zero” has already been
used to stop anyone but the rich from being able to afford to buy new or nearly
new cars, and “Clean Air” is then lined up to be used as the excuse to make it
impossible for people to continue to run their older cars.
I have written a (highly acerbic) screed on UK 100, and
its city counterpart C40, here: https://libertarianism.uk/2023/02/15/our-local-enemies/.
Yours sincerely,
Neil Lock
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