Tory mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski vows to explore plans to TURN OFF red lights in London between 10pm and 7am to speed up traffic and scrap 20mph limits as he looks to overturn Sadiq Khan’s ‘irrational’ road policies
- Ex-No10 adviser is among seven candidates competing for the Tory nomination
Tory mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski today vowed to explore plans to turn off red lights in London between 10pm and 7am in order to speed up night-time traffic.
The ex-No10 adviser is among seven candidates competing to be the Conservative pick to take on Sadiq Khan in next year’s mayoral election in the capital.
Mr Korski is promising to overturn Mr Khan’s ‘irrational’ transport policies if he reaches City Hall by defeating the Labour politician.
According to The Sun, this could include replacing red lights with amber flashing lights during quieter times and removing 20mph speed limits in some areas.
He also wants to reduce traffic control measures through scrapping no right turns or closed streets where there isn’t local support, the newspaper reported.
Daniel Korski, a former No10 adviser, is among seven candidates competing to be the Conservative pick to take on Sadiq Khan in next year’s mayoral election in the capital
He today vowed to explore plans to turn off red lights in London between 10pm and 7am in order to speed up night-time traffic
Mr Korski is also promising to look at removing 20mph speed limits in some areas of the capital, if he becomes mayor
Who’s bidding to be the Tory candidate for London mayor?
Daniel Korski – Former No10 aide who worked for David Cameron in Downing Street
Paul Scully – Sutton and Cheam MP who is the minister for London
Samuel Kasumu – Former No10 aide who worked for Boris Johnson in Downing Street
Susan Hall – A member of the London Assembly who previously led the Tories at City Hall
Andrew Boff – A member of the London Assembly who also previously led the Tories at City Hall
Alex Challoner – A board member of the Tory Reform Group and the founder of a public affairs consultancy
Duwayne Brooks – A former Liberal Democrat councillor and a friend of Stephen Lawrence who was with him when he was murdered
‘Sadiq Khan’s transport policies, to London voters, appear irrational,’ Mr Korski said.
‘Above all, it’s hard to see how they help the environment.
‘They’re driving motorists around the bend and, most counterintuitively, turning some people against environmentalism.
‘All my changes will be made with community input.’
Mr Korski worked as deputy head of the Downing Street policy unit during David Cameron’s time as prime minister.
He also helped run the official Remain campaign during the EU referendum and is a current vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council.
Mr Korski is facing stiff competition to become the Conservative candidate to take on Mr Khan next year.
Paul Scully, the current minister for London, is among his rivals to be the Tory contender, while London Assembly members Andrew Boff and Susan Hall are also seeking the Tory nomination.
In response to criticism of his proposal to turn off red lights during certain periods of the night, Mr Korski suggested sensors could be used to control traffic instead.
‘I didn’t say we should get rid of traffic lights. That would be absurd,’ Mr Korski posted on Twitter.
‘Flashing yellow doesn’t mean don’t take care. What I’m saying is in 2023, drivers shouldn’t end up sitting at a red light, engine idling, in front of a deserted junction and empty road at night.
‘This is completely needless. We have the sensors and the technology to reduce this and I’d be looking into it as mayor.’
When he announced his mayoral bid last week, Mr Korski set out proposals to replace Mr Khan’s expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) with ‘pay per mile’ road charging.
He also suggested imposing a tourist tax in the capital to raise extra funding for the Metropolitan Police.
Both Mr Scully and Ms Hall are among Tory candidates to pledge to scrap the ULEX expansion on ‘day one’ if they are elected mayor.
Tory peer Baroness Karren Brady, the vice-chairman of West Ham football club who also stars on TV’s The Apprentice, today ruled herself out of joining the list of contenders for the Conservative nominations.
Asked whether she would stand, she told the Evening Standard: ‘Absolutely not. I am a proud Londoner.
‘And I could assure you if I was the Mayor of London, nobody would get a minute of peace.
‘But I would never stand to be the Mayor of London while I have a full-time job.’
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