The RAC is calling for the new Labour Government to urgently tackle the most pressing concerns of the UK’s 40m motorists in its new transport policy.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Roads ravaged with potholes. Drivers ripped off at the pumps. No progress on reducing road casualties. To say the incoming Transport Secretary has a lot to address is a huge understatement, but a new Parliament is a huge opportunity to improve the lives of all road users.
“Top of the list has to be the thorny issue of fixing Britain’s broken roads which will sadly take far more money than the promised £320m from scrapping the A27 Arundel bypass. And the roads funding hole will be even bigger if the previous government’s commitment to spend £8.3bn from the cancelled northern leg of HS2 on improving roads isn’t honoured.
“But there are some clear quick wins the new government can take advantage of, should it choose to. The recently legislated Pumpwatch fuel price monitoring scheme must be introduced quickly to give drivers a fairer deal on the forecourt and the official government Private Parking Code of Practice, which will protect drivers from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous parking operators, finally needs to be pushed over the line after five years of delays.
“We also want to see the National Parking Platform rolled out as soon as possible so drivers can use one app of their choice to pay for all their parking. Alongside this, we want a firm commitment from the Government to ensure drivers always have at least two means of payment. As surprising as it might seem, cash is still the preferred payment method for many.
“We look forward to working constructively with the new government on all the major issues affecting the nation’s drivers.”
The RAC is urging the Government to address these alongside four other key issues:
- Improve local roads
- Reduce the motor insurance tax burden
- Make fuel prices fairer
- Cut road casualties
- Support the transition to EVs
- Ensure civil motoring offences are enforced fairly
- Make paying for parking easy for all.
