EPISODE 115: What the Hell is Happening In the UK?

Hello!

British politics have always been interesting, but the last few months have been a wild ride as far as transportation, traffic safety and climate are concerned. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been on a tear about ending what he calls "the war on motorists," launching a full-scale culture and policy war to push back against sensible policies meant to protect people, the British economy and the planet.

First, the Conservative Party leader announced he was delaying a UK ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars. He followed that with what he called his “plan for motorists,” which would severely restrict local efforts to implement low-traffic neighborhoods, 20 mph speed limits, bus-only lanes, and other policies intended to benefit people walking, cycling, and taking transit. Finally, he scrapped a major portion of HS2, a high-speed rail line linking some of the UK’s biggest cities.

Thanks for listening!

- Doug

P.S. Some business:

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SHOW NOTES:

“Sunak ‘backs drivers,’ announces scaling back of HS2, and delays the UK’s ban on gas-powered vehicles by five years. (Peter Walker & colleagues, The Guardian)

Rishi Sunak says he’s “slamming the brakes on the war on motorists.” (The Sun)

King Charles III makes his first “King’s Speech.” (YouTube)

British Transport Secretary Mark Harper on “sinister” 15-minute-city plans. (The Independent)

Hear Peter Walker discuss his book, The Miracle Pill, on this Patreon bonus episode of The War on Cars.

Pick up Peter Walker’s  How Cycling Can Save the World  at our official Bookshop.org page.