The journey to a better Government starts right here…
Over the past month, we’ve heard the Prime Minister claim that there is a “war on motorists”, and that the Government is “proudly pro car”. But do their actions match this claim?
The Prime Minister frequently reminds us that he cut fuel duty by 5p per litre, but that is little consolation when the two petrol stations in Saltash routinely charge 10-11p per litre more than those in Callington! That’s nothing compared to the price difference experienced by EV drivers: Those lucky enough to have a driveway at home can fill up for as little as 10p per kWh (equivalent to 3p per mile), but those who rely on public chargers pay up to 79p/kWh which, at approximately 26p per mile, is twice the cost of diesel!
Saltash has a very high proportion of residents who don’t have any off-street parking. This should make the town a priority for the installation of huge numbers of public EV charging points, but almost five years after Cornwall Council declared a Climate Emergency, there is just one “rapid” and three “fast” chargers in the Culver Road car park, with a couple more up at the China Fleet Club.
And of course while you’re charging your EV in the Council car park, you have to pay for a parking ticket too. In May, Cornwall Council significantly increased parking charges across Cornwall, and this month we have heard that they are set to rise again!
Earlier this year Cornwall Council increased the tolls on the Tamar crossings by 30%, and the latest news is that this is set to rise again soon too! When I asked Cornwall Council’s new cabinet member for Transport about the Tamar Crossings, he told me they should be seen as “a business, not a service”. He said that if the numbers using the Torpoint Ferry don’t cover the costs, he’d seriously consider closing it overnight, forcing residents of Torpoint to take a 20+ mile detour via the Tamar Bridge to reach work or get to hospital!
I realise that sometimes expensive car parking can be an effective tool for persuading people to use public transport, but the Conservatives have cut multiple bus routes across Cornwall. Meanwhile the Government’s stubborn refusal to negotiate with train drivers has led to fifteen months of strikes. If buses and trains aren't there when we need them, it is inevitable that most people will choose to stick with our cars.
The Government is also giving very mixed messages about safety measures on the A38: In August, The Transport Secretary told us that the funding for speed cameras had been approved, but then in September, National Highways told us that no funding would be available before 2030!
So, whether you travel by car, bus or train, it feels like the Council and the Government are hurting, not helping. I'll keep doing my bit to fight for a fair deal for Saltash and South East Cornwall:
Lib Dem policies include new powers to ensure that rural areas don’t get ripped off on the price of petrol; protecting free evening parking; and maintaining the £2 cap on bus fares.
The journey to a better Government starts right here…