Liberal Democrats have backed plans for a Green Transport Bill, that would give councils the power to cut speed limits outside schools to 10mph and would ban high emission vehicles by 2040.
The plans won the backing of delegates at the Party’s spring conference in Liverpool this week, and are part of a programme of five green laws proposed by the Lib Dems to help the environment if the party win power after 7 May.
Other plans under the Green Transport Bill would also update planning laws to ensure new infrastructure developments are designed around walking, cycling and public transport.
Lib Dem energy and climate change secretary, Ed Davey, said: ‘The Lib Dems are the only party to have nailed their green credentials to the mast, and set out how this radical agenda will be delivered in a way that is both credible and affordable.
‘From day one of the next Parliament we will have our green commitments on the table, from cleaning up the air we breathe, to greening the energy and transport we use.’
Fast track support for the growing electric vehicle market by implementing a full network of charging points for electric cars and making greater progress on cycling were also on the agenda.
The Party also proposed a review of road transport taxation, raising the possibility of heavier taxes for more polluting vehicles and direct road user charging models to be considered.
‘Transport has a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions. In the UK, transport is responsible for around 25% of our carbon emissions and is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions. We will bring forward a comprehensive package of transport policies to continue to build a people-centred, sustainable, safe travel system that helps the economy grow,’ the Party said in a publicity statement.
