One major change under the party’s new plans is reducing the speed limit on our motorways from 70mph to just 55mph – a decision that will split opinions between both motorists and non-motorists
Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking at the launch of the Wales (Image: PA)
The Green Party wants ro make major changes for motorists under Zack Polanski’s ‘war on motorists ‘ plans.
One major change under the party’s new plans is reducing the speed limit on our motorways from 70mph to just 55mph – a decision that will split opinions between both motorists and non-motorists up and down the country. But the Green Party does not just focus on speeding.
Under the party’s plans the taxes on driving would also be ‘increased incrementally’ and parking spaces would be ‘steadily reduced’ to drive cars off the roads. Policies seen by the Daily Mail also state that motorists would be forced to re-take their driving test every five years. In the policy document, the party describes driving as “not a right but a privilege”.
Travel experts have issued a warning with Storm Dave set to cause major transport problems this Easte(Image: Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
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The official Green Party transport policy says: ‘On major roads outside built up areas, the maximum speed limit allowed would be 55mph, to maximise the efficiency of fuel use as well as improving safety.’ The speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways would be cut by 15mph, and controversial 20mph limits would be imposed in all built up areas.
Mr Polanski’s party would pursue a deliberate policy of travel ‘demand management’ if it was in government, with the primary objective being to reduce ‘speeds and volume of motorised traffic’. The proposed policy adds: ‘Road fuel tax is an important factor in encouraging users to be more mileage conscious and to opt for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The Green Party would increase road fuel tax incrementally.’
Driving tests would also be made ‘more comprehensive and stricter’ and they ‘would be done at regular intervals to ensure that drivers remain competent’, it states. Driving test waiting times in the UK are currently high, averaging around 19–23 weeks (4-6 months) as of early 2026 due to a persistent backlog.
Mr Polanski, who has been the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since September 2025, also plans to ‘steadily reduce’ the amount of parking available and make people pay to park outside their homes as ‘car parking is not a right that any driver has on the road’.
Let us know what your thoughts are on the Green party’s policy to lower the motorway national speed limit by taking part in our poll below.
Would you support the 55mph motorway speed limit?
Would you support the 55mph motorway speed limit?
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden hit out at the proposals, insisting they would “drive up costs for working families and bring the country to a standstill”. He added: “It is completely out of touch with how people live. Only the Conservatives will stand up for drivers, protect your freedom to move, and keep Britain moving.”
It comes as speed cameras that detect drivers without flashing and do not rely on road markings are being trialled in London. The cameras feature advanced 4D-imaging radar technology and a 4k camera to capture better quality images – and can catch speeding vehicles across five lanes of bi-directional traffic.