Elections
Local elections (County), June 2009: East Chesterton
Summary: | Elections to Cambridgeshire County Council in June 2009. |
Polling date: | Thursday 4th June 2009 |
Division: |
|
Candidates (by surname): |
|
Questions for East Chesterton division candidates (6 questions)
# Question 1
There is a major shortage of cycle parking all around the city. Cycle theft is over 10% of all reported crime in the County. Do you have any suggestions for locations for cycle parking? Would you be willing to see a very small proportion of on-street car parking being replaced by on-street cycle parking in your ward? How will you progress towards a situation where every resident and every worker in each ward can keep a bike safe?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
No |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
I do suport more cycle parking, but it probably needs to be done on an area by area basis. A small amount of car parking space can be given over in some areas, but in others hoops and more wall attachments may be better. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
Most of East Chesterton is not a destination for cyclists who are commuters. The local shopping centres do have cycle racks provided. I am sure that there are places where we could do more, but the state of affairs is not too serious. Obviously cycle theft is a problem - as is car theft and burglary. Unfortunately we find it difficult to trace thieves, and a large part of the solution has to be meticulous security by bike owners, car owners and house owners. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
In many ways cycle parking should be increased, even if that costs car parking space. |
# Question 2
Do you support our view that traffic policing (including fining of cyclists without lights or using pedestrian-only pavements) should become a greater police priority?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
No |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
I think that lights are a crucial problem, particularly for cyclists themselves. It may be that CPSOs could be given more authority to deal with this problem, as well as the usual police force. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
Yes. It would do police officers a lot of good to get out of the office, and out of the canteen, into the fresh air. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
Very much so. Cycling without lights is a danger for the car driver as well as for the stupid cyclist! |
# Question 3
We believe that 20mph should be the norm for local streets in residential areas (as distinct from main connecting roads). 20mph would: greatly encourage walking and cycling; improve the quality of life in an area for residents; and would not delay car journeys significantly (because only the start/end of a journey would be affected). Do you agree that 20mph should become the norm for local streets in Cambridge and surrounding villages?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
No |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
Yes - the Labour government has made this possible. In most areas 20mph is quite fast enough. Pedestrians and cyclists do, I understand have a much greater possibility of escaping severe injury at 20 mph then at 30 mph. Also it can have an important pschological effect, in encouraging people to use their bikes. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
There is a sharp divide in driver behaviour. About 90% of drivers recognise a residential area and already drive at speeds below the 30 mph limit because they recognise the dangers. The other 10% take no notice of the 30 mph limit. Changing the limit would not change their behaviour. This can be clearly seen within East Chesterton on Fen Road. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
Depends. If there is a seperate safe cycle track/path next to the carriage way you can allow 30mph. Do not forget that 20mph is more polluting then 30mph. |
# Question 4
If the County Council's proposed Congestion Charge goes ahead, it is likely that the associated up-front money that would be received from the government to support prior improvements to public transport and cycling would be of the order of some £500m spread over five years. This is roughly ten times the amount the County currently receives for transport. If the scheme goes ahead, what would be your priorities for use of this up-front money?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
To reduce the Council tax |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
The scheme now looks in doubt. But should it proceed, I would want to use the absolute maximum amount of money to provide more and SAFER cycling provision. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
I have studied the congestion charge in some depth. I do not believe the Government's forecasts for housing demand. I do not believe that a congestion charge in Cambridge could be operated by charging drivers £3-00 a day when the published accounts for Transport for London show that the cost of collecting each charge is £3-80. These economics do not make sense. And, worst of all, a congestion charge would be regressive - it would hit the poorest hardest. So I oppose the scheme in total and, if elected, would speak and vote against it. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
Look above. safe cycle tracks so each child can and should go to school on a bike or on foot. At the same time they would not get fat. |
# Question 5
The Haling Way / Penny Ferry path is part of a national cycle route. Its entranceway is currently being remodelled, at considerable cost. We believe that a diagonal entrance into the path should have been created, rather than the current ‘wiggle’ round a blind corner and use of the pavement. This has not been done because it would involve removal of a few more car parking spaces. Do you feel that this cycle route should have a proper entrance for cyclists, even if it means the loss of three or four parking spaces?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
No |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
Yes - anything which makes cycling awkward is going to discourage cycling - we need to do the opposite. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
No. These parking spaces are always busy and several spaces have already been removed to provide miniature gardens. I am sure that cyclists can negotiate the corner providing that they behave with courtesy and consideration. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
Of course but show me the council official who understands what you are talking about. |
# Question 6
Do you have any other general cycling-related comments or points? And what support have you given for cycling and walking, or sustainable transport more generally, in the past?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Peter BURKINSHAW (UK Independence Party) |
Provision for cyclists is already adequate. Please remember that motorists are the people who pay to use the roads whereas cyclists are "freeloaders". They are entitled to use the roads but not disproportionately. If everyone cycled, as you suggest, there would be no roads to ride on. |
Leonard A FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
I have been cycling around Cambridge for over 50 years. It is by far the best form of transport for most people. I belong to the Cambridge cycling campaign, and will do all that I can if elected to promote more and safer cycling. Not only is it the healthiest and cheapest transport, it is also the greenest way of getting around in Cambridge. I would like to see the council produce maps of leisure cycling routes around Cambridge - they do exist, but few know about them. |
Peter H POPE (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
James A STRACHAN (Conservative Party) |
I would refer you to my response to Question 5. We will all get along a lot better - drivers, cyclists and pedestrians - if we treat each other with consideration. We all have a duty of care. |
Siep S WIJSENBEEK (Liberal Democrat) |
As a Dutchman I was born on a bike. went to school , to work , went to the townhall to get married on a bike. In Cambridge I hardly ever use my car, only to get in and out for the rest it is my Gazelle Tourer. |
Camcycle is a non-partisan body. All candidates are given an equal opportunity to submit their views. Information published by Camcycle (Cambridge Cycling Campaign), The Bike Depot, 140 Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DL.