I have criticised new Government-backed guidance recommending 20mph speed limits on rural roads and country lanes, warning it is the latest front in Labour's war on rural England.
For people living in communities like ours, having a car is not a luxury – it is often the only practical way to get to work, school, the shops or medical appointments. Blanket 20mph limits would lengthen journeys, make everyday life harder and damage our rural economy.
What is particularly disappointing is that York and North Yorkshire's Labour Mayor, David Skaith, has backed this guidance through his role advising Active Travel England. Instead of supporting measures that make life harder for drivers, he should be standing up for North Yorkshire by pushing for improvements like dualling the A64.
We all want safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians, but bringing rural roads to a crawl is not the answer. I am calling on David Skaith to rule out blanket 20mph speed limits across North Yorkshire.
