Elections

I have lived in Cambridge for almost 20 years and I have cycled to work everyday. I also cycle for recreation and in cycle events. My holidays are based around cycling and cycle touring.

• South Cambs Greens Greens responded to the South Cambs local plan consultation as follows: "The plan as it stands makes an unquestioning assumption that Cambridgeshire must and will grow economically and that this means attracting more people to live in the area, with a resulting need for additional housing. We reject this. We clearly need a strong and vibrant economy, but look more to a state of 'dynamic equilibrium' - planning jobs, homes and infrastructure for those already in the area, not extra people from outside. We cannot continue indefinitely to build over our countryside, losing both agricultural land and our natural environment as we do so."

This isn't really a genuine issue. It's largely an issue propagated by the Cambridge Evening News and fuelled by knee-jerk responses. Yes, there are examples of anti social driving and cycling and occasions of cyclists without lights and jumping traffic lights, but these are also commonplace in the 'ideal' cycling cities of Copenhagen, Amsterdam etc.

Definitely. If it possible in London, then it is possible in Cambridge. Berlin is also a great example where an ambitious plan to reduce dependancy on car use has been a triumph, with almost half of all journeys now made by bicycle within the city. And this was from a starting point of almost no cycling.

This is the Green Party response from the national manifesto:
• The Green Party believes in a much stronger emphasis on prevention of ill health, via living healthier lives and greater equality. This shows how, unlike other parties, our policies are woven together into a coherent whole.
• We cannot have an effective preventive approach, and thus a long-term-thinking ‘health’ service, unless we encourage healthier eating, more exercise, a lower-stress, slower-living society, a serious reduction in environmental pollutants, and greater access to tranquil countryside.
• And we recognise the connection between mental and physical well-being.
• Better health is not a matter of ever-increasing spending on the NHS. A surer route, which can’t be disrupted by the need to bail out bankers, is to support simple things like good food, less competition and less stress.
• Improve food skills by encouraging schools to involve children in growing, preparing and cooking food.
• Increase the tranquillity of our urban environments, with less litter, less noise, reduced light pollution and more green spaces. Everyone should live within walking distance of natural green space.
• Provide a full half day a week of inviting physical activity for every child, and at least one day a year learning in the natural environment.
• Provide free school meals for all – with locally sourced or fair-trade and (where possible) organic food, and with a vegetarian option. This will encourage healthy eating, combat obesity, improve concentration and end the stigma associated with free school meals. There can be few better ways of spending up to £2bn a year, only a fraction of the amount spent on bonuses in the city.

Some villages have excellent cycling provision into Cambridge, e.g. Coton, Shelfords and now the villages that lie along the guided busway route, but some of the larger villages/towns within a few miles of the city have relatively poor provision. Particular examples are Girton and Bar Hill which would be a target for improvements. Targeting 10% of the transport spending on improving cycle lanes would be a priority.

I completely agree and this should be fully funded by the developers in this instance.