Nigel Farage vows to field candidates against EVERY local councillor who backs Boris Johnson’s ‘ridiculous’ push for ‘green roads’
- Nigel Farage threatens to stand against all councillors backing green roads push
- The Brexit Party has been rebranded as Reform UK and widening its policy base
- Boris Johnson facing growing backlash over green measures targeting motorists
Nigel Farage today vowed to field candidates against every councillor who backs Boris Johnson’s ‘green roads’ push.
The Brexiteer lashed out at the £250million ‘covid’ cycle lanes and other ‘trendy’ environmental projects – saying they ‘cannot be justified’ as the economy faces disaster.
Mr Farage insisted Reform UK – the rebranded name of the Brexit Party – will take on all politicians who persist with the schemes in local elections in May.
The intervention comes amid growing frustration with what critics say is an attack on motorists from the government.
Mr Johnson has committed to banning all new sales of diesel and petrol cars by 2030 – apart from some hybrids – despite concerns that it will make driving the ‘privilege of the wealthy’ and technology is not yet ready.
Over the summer Grant Shapps announced an £250million ’emergency active travel’ fund to widen pedestrian paths, increase cycle facilities and create car-free streets.
The controversial cycle lane on Kensington High Street – where a major row has been going on about whether it will be removed
Mr Farage insisted his Reform Party – the rebranded name of the Brexit Party – will take on all politicians who persist with the ‘active travel’ schemes in local elections in May
However, a survey has found one in four councils dropped road closures and bike lanes after local opposition.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, levels of nitrogen oxide fumes plummeted in low traffic neighbourhoods in London when road closures were axed.
Wandsworth Council research suggested traffic congestion and pollution was merely being shifted to main roads, which are often closer to poorer neighbourhoods.
Writing in the same newspaper, Mr Farage said: ‘This country simply cannot afford to blow money on trendy ”green” projects like this.
‘The OBR has forecast that the economy will contract by 11.3 per cent this year while borrowing will reach £394billion – 19 per cent of GDP, the highest level in peacetime history.
‘I don’t think anybody has really begun to digest what this will mean for Britain’s economic future.’
Mr Farage said the volume of cyclists using many of the new cycle lanes was ‘so low that they cannot be justified’.
‘In far too many cases, all the lanes and road closures have succeeded in doing is cause traffic jams, therefore increasing pollution and triggering huge frustration in a population that has had about as much as it can take for one year,’ he went on.
‘Do the councils responsible realise the sheer hatred that their rules and regulations inspire among taxpayers?
The intervention comes amid growing frustration with what critics say is an attack on motorists from Boris Johnson’s (pictured) government
‘Many of the schemes are not just environmentally counterproductive, they are also downright dangerous, preventing ambulances and fire engines from reaching emergencies quickly.
‘This seems not to have occurred to the ”experts” on whom Mr Shapps allegedly relied when he gave the green light to this ridiculous plan.’
Seizing an opportunity to make political capital, Mr Farage said: ‘My new party will stand candidates against any and every local councillor who backs these new cycle lanes and road closures in next year’s local elections.
‘If measures to improve the environment really are necessary, they can only be introduced sensibly.’
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