The Welsh Labour Government want to discourage all private car use and encourage voters to jump on buses and trains.
Deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters has written to opposition leader Andrew R T Davies who questioned the stated policy on new road building in the controversial Welsh Roads Review and told him, “We confirmed that we will continue to consider investment in roads ‘to support modal shift and reduce carbon emissions. This is about ensuring that future roads investment does not simply increase the demand for private car travel.’ This includes travel by private electric vehicle.”
Mr Waters then added, “The advice of the independent UK Climate Change Commission is clear, we cannot rely on electric vehicles to reach our emissions targets. They are necessary, but not sufficient.”
Responding to Labour’s Deputy Transport Minister saying that the Welsh Government wants to reduce demand for private car travel even in the case of electric vehicles, Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Transport Minister, said, “It’s clear that this policy is not motivated by concern for the climate, but by the Deputy Minister’s hatred for private car use.
“Private EVs can play a crucial part in reducing emissions, but Labour are so committed to the war on motorists that they want to undermine that potential. The Deputy Minister should stop listening to his lycra-clad lobbyist friends who seem to hate any four-wheel vehicle, wake-up and realise the benefits of electric vehicle use for our environment.”
A report expected to be released later will show that the controversial 20mph limit roll-out at a cost of £35 Million from Welsh funds produced only an average 4mph reduction from 30mph on selected roads, but the change was monitored before more intensive speed checks by police and Go Safe Wales camera vans.
