Elections

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Question 5 - we asked:

Following the remarkable success of 20 mph zones in Hull, we wish to see many more 20 mph zones around Cambridge for both safety and environmental reasons. Do you support this objective?

We asked this question in these 13 wards: Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King's Hedges, Market, Newnham, Queen Edith's, Romsey, Trumpington, West Chesterton.

25 of the 60 candidates (42%) who were asked this question responded as below.

Andrew James BOWER
(Conservative Party)

Local Conservatives will ask for a review of all speed limits on roads, including 20mph zones where appropriate and taking into account the provision of cycle lanes, use of the road by cyclists and the accident rate. Care should be taken that the misapplication of lower speed limits does not lead to loss of respect for rules of the road or detract from other important safety messages.

Donald Fisher DOUGLAS
(Conservative Party)

Yes, we will ask for a review of all speed limits on roads; taking into account the provision of cycle lanes, use of the road by cyclists and the accident rate.

Peter Norman HASE
(Conservative Party)

Yes. But not just for the benefit of cyclists. I have a car and two motocycles and really do understand road use from all angles. We all drive too fast and the danger to the public - on foot as well as on cycles - is much worse speeds above 30 mph. In my view, the City centre should be a 20 mph zone and I agree with your Newsletter other than the wider area that you propose would be hard to Police and (I expect) costly to implement. I would advovcate starting with the City.

Christopher John HOWELL
(Conservative Party)

Yes in general, I think 20mph is a more appropriate speed limit for many residential roads, but when I have suggested this to Council officers in the past they have been unwilling to act without huge over the top physical traffic calming schemes at vast expense, citing national guidelines. This approach in most cases results in loss of support and acceptance from local residents and myself. Local Councils should have the freedom to respond to the local situation and reduce limits with little or no physical measures wherever locally elected people believe is appropriate.

Richard Edward NORMINGTON
(Conservative Party)

Yes, we will ask for a review of all speed limits on roads; taking into account the provision of cycle lanes, use of the road by cyclists and the accident rate.

Hamish George DOWNER
(Green Party)

We do support this. Green Councillors in Lancaster have gained cross-party support for this motion.

And I would add community to the list of reasons for supporting this. If cars are going slowly and are considerate it is more likely that residents will spend more time on the street and thus get to know each other and build a stronger local community.

My ideal is that kids could safely play football in the streets (as I did when I was a kid) but it would take much more than a 20 mph limit to get to that stage ...

Ceri Barbara GALLOWAY
(Green Party)

We do support this in fact Lancaster Green Councillors have gained cross-party support for this motion. Speed reduction for traffic to 20 miles on hour would make cycling more pleasant and save many lives. However the restriction would require cycle friendly speed humps to slow drivers and better enforcement. Bus drivers need special training to use these areas and bus companies to allow for slower journey times. Where there is currently a 30 mile an hour limit on Trumpington St drivers frequently exceed this and it can be frightening cycling on the on-road cycle lane, which is very narrow. Especially when park and ride bus pass.

Jesse Liam GRIFFITHS
(Green Party)

Absolutely! Not just brilliant for increasing walking and cycling rates, but also for improving road safety and quality of life of local residents. Green Councillors in Lancaster have gained cross-party support for this motion.

Stephen Roger LAWRENCE
(Green Party)

Yes. Need some help from car manufacturers to make it possible to drive at 20mph, and to be able to see your speedo and keep your eyes on the road. Hope we can do 20mph zones without always having to have humps etc. And why not 25mph zones? (in US, speed limit signs are regularly to nearest 5mph)

Gregory Michael PATTON
(Green Party)

20mph hour zones are an effective way of improving safety and local environment and so I support this objective.

Peter Harry POPE
(Green Party)

Yes. I am a long time supporter of the Lower Speeds Initiative.

Margaret Elizabeth WRIGHT
(Green Party)

We do support this. Green Councillors in Lancaster have gained cross-party support for this motion.

Len FREEMAN
(Labour Party)

Yes - the safer roads become, the more likely that people will use bikes.

Jonathan Hugh GOODACRE
(Labour Party)

Yes, although again it is as much about enforcement . There's no point having a 20mph zone if car drivers continually flout it.

Tariq SADIQ
(Labour Party)

Yes, I do support this but there could be other solutions too. For example, it has been shown that removing signage and lines on roads and blurring the demarcation between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists encourages drivers to slow down and be more cautious resulting in a reduction in accidents. Perhaps this could be tried in Cambridge.

Pamela Mary STACEY
(Labour Party)

Not certain how well this would work as Cambridge is often at a standstill so there are not that many chances to do 20 mph. I think it is more important to have good cycle paths and lanes. For example many cyclists go to great lenghs to avoid cycling over Hills Road bridge, as they do not feel safe and this is a space issue not a speed one. Likewise the traffic lights at the Catholic church can be a challenge for even the most experienced cyclists when cars race towards them.

Simon Richard Ainsley WATKINS
(Labour Party)

Yes.

Andy BLACKHURST
(Liberal Democrat)

Local Liberal Democrats have previously advocated wider use of 20 mph zones in Cambridgeshire, including within Cambridge. Within the ward, I am pleased that we have been able to secure traffic calming measures for Coronation Street, and would be interested to hear resident’s views on the idea of creating a “Homezone” within Newtown. Homezone features have been incorporated with success into recent new developments in Cambridge: it ought to be possible, if there is sufficient public support for it, to extend the principle to an established neighbourhood such as Newtown.

Mike DIXON
(Liberal Democrat)

This candidate has contacted the Campaign in response to the survey but has not given permission to make the response public.

Alan LEVY
(Liberal Democrat)

Cambridgeshire county council is currently undertaking a review of speed limits generally and local Liberal Democrat councillors are working to ensure that 20mph zones can be set up where they are needed within the city. I entirely support their efforts to do this.

Michael Hal PITT
(Liberal Democrat)

I support much wider use of 20mph zones. The link between traffic calming measures and 20 limits should be dropped.

Both Cllr Neale Upstone and I have written to County Councillors asking for support 20mph zones in King's Hedges when requested by residents, and for the change of County policy which would allow these.

Ed SEXTON
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes, absolutely, enforced by speed bumps and raised crossings where appropriate. This is a particular problem in my ward as motorists use various residential roads (e.g. Wadloes Rd, Whitehill Rd) as cut throughs, frequently exceeding 30mph when doing so.

Julie Elizabeth SMITH
(Liberal Democrat)

I think it is very important to ensure that our road and cyclepath networks are safe and work efficiently. In some cases 20mph zones are the way to do this and in those cases I support it. However, we need to ensure that such zones don't lead to further problems such as additional pollution and/or cars speeding between speed bumps. So, I'm in favour of sensible policies that create safe conditions for all according to local conditions.

Tania ZMURA
(Liberal Democrat)

I don't have no knowledge to be able to comment on this at present, I believe the most important thing is to provide safe cycle lanes i.e. Trumpington Road is excellent. Anyhow drivers do not stick to 30 or 40mph in Cambridge so it will need lots of educating and enforcement.

Tom WOODCOCK
(Respect)

Yes

Marjorie Ruth Hadley BARR
(UK Independence Party)

Yes, we could do with more 20 m.p.h. zones provided they are placed in areas where they are likely to have an impact.

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.