The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.
"Councils have long-called for existing outdated taxi laws to be updated and strengthened so we are pleased that many of our recommendations have been supported in this report."
“It’s long past time for a taxi licensing regime fit for the 21st Century. We urge the Government to look at ways in which legislation can be updated, to support councils in their efforts to keep residents as safe as possible.”
Cllr Martin Tett, Transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, responds to a report by Transport for New Homes on planning new housing developments.
“Councils are playing a pivotal role in tackling air pollution to improve people’s health and quality of life, including working with schools to set up car free streets to prevent engine idling."
“Keeping roads safe for all users is one of the most important jobs councils do and is reflected in the fact that local authorities are fixing a pothole every 21 seconds.
“However, only long-term, consistent and fairer government investment in local road maintenance can allow councils to embark on the widespread improvement of our roads that is desperately needed. Spending 52 times more on maintaining our national roads when very few journeys begin and end on a motorway or trunk road will only serve to help motorists reach increased delays and congestion on local roads more quickly.
“The LGA
Councils are on the side of all road users, fixing a pothole every 17 seconds and want to work with government to tackle our national road repairs backlog.
“Bridges are a vital part of our highways infrastructure that connect communities and business. Councils are doing their best to ensure they are well maintained and withstand extreme weather. However, this is becoming increasingly challenging in the face of a backlog of nearly £10 billion to bring our roads up to scratch.”
The LGA has long-called for more public transport funding so it is pleasing to see this echoed by an overwhelming majority of motorists who would use more public transport if it was better.
“Councils share the concerns of all road users with the state of our roads and are doing all they can to tackle the £14 billion backlog of road repairs, including learning from and adopting innovative techniques."