Elections

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Question 5 - we asked:

Cycle routes in green spaces: The commons and greens provide well-used pleasant cycle routes through the city. Would you support some widening of the paths, undertaken sensitively, to reduce conflict between pedestrians and cyclists?

We asked this question in all 14 wards, namely: Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King's Hedges, Market, Newnham, Petersfield, Queen Edith's, Romsey, Trumpington, West Chesterton.

52 of the 62 candidates (84%) who were asked this question responded as below.

Those candidate(s) which were elected are highlighted.

Sam BARKER
(Conservative Party)

Yes

Eric William BARRETT-PAYTON
(Conservative Party)

Yes, certainly, and especially wherever space allows. I would also strongly support significant increases in markings to clarify where cyclists and pedestrians can occupy separate areas on as many paths as practical, in order to encourage greater tolerance between all users

Alex BOYD
(Conservative Party)

If undertaken sensitively, then yes. However, I would need to see specific plans and hear views of local residents and cyclists before committing to anything. Clearly, there are problems on Midsommer Common in particular but I would not say this is necessarily down exclusively to problems of path width but rather cycle speed. Whether or not wider paths without cycle lanes would encourage cyclists to go faster on them also remains an open question. Whatever happens pragmatic solutions that allow both cyclists and pedestrians to use paths on green spaces safely should be prioritised.

Tom BYRNE
(Conservative Party)

I think a sensitively undertaken widening of the paths in such areas would be a welcome improvement, providing guidance to cyclists and pedestrians and reducing any potential conflict between them.

Timothy James HAIRE
(Conservative Party)

Yes, but with a mind to ensuring not too much green space is not spoilt or lost.

Richard Graham JEFFS
(Conservative Party)

Absolutely. These areas are perfect for safe, pleasant cycle routes.

Daniel Jacob JOHN
(Conservative Party)

I would support widening of paths in principle, although this will need to be weighed against cost and disruption to the commons and greens.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)

Yes very much so, if I'm walking my dog I keep getting bullied by cyclists if I'm cycling walkers and dogs just walk out in front of you.

Vince MARINO
(Conservative Party)

definetly

Linda YEATMAN
(Conservative Party)

There are not enough green spaces in Petersfield where cycle facilities could be improved. This question is for other wards. I am in principle against cycles dominating green spaces where people want to walk without fear of being knocked over by cyclists coming from behind. Dog Walkers and people who enjoy being out on their feet should have priority In green spaces

Sandra BILLINGTON
(Green Party)

No. The quality of the parks will be lost if paths start to dominate. Pedestrians and cyclists will just need to be aware of each other.

Joel Henry CHALFEN
(Green Party)

PLEASE NOTE: I have only just received this questionnaire.

Absolutely. Some of these paths - for example Coldham's Common path seen above which I use fairly often - are in bad shape and not well lit. These are commuter routes as well as leisure trails and it would good to see more of these, more of them improved, and more of them signposted as good to use.

Maximillian FRIES
(Green Party)

I would support such widening and separation in general, but as implicated in the question, in a sensitive manner to avoid sealing even more of our green spaces with tarmac. In any case, there should be a consultation of local residents and users of the path before making any changes to include all possible views and find a common solution.

Ceri GALLOWAY
(Green Party)

As the population of Cambridge increases in the next few years and there is greater pressure in the city of joint use cycle paths segregation of pedestrians and cyclists may be essential. Currently there are times of the day there is already conflict of use of joint space. While and I am concerned about loss of green space to tarmac I would be prepared explore options for widening paths to reduce conflict of use, which will benefit everyone. Pedestrians often use cycle paths to walk on as they are often wider and smoother so there needs to be equity of surface for both types of user and clear signage about who can use each route.

Oscar Edward GILLESPIE
(Green Party)

Certainly. I would also like to see cycle lanes marked more clearly in parks and along the riverside, so that they alert pedestrians and guide cyclists away from blind corners. Wide cycle lanes are important for safety and harmony, but since they will allow high speeds they should placed with care.

Julia HARRISON
(Green Party)

I would support this initiative as long as, as suggested, this is undertaken sensitively. I would not want to spoil the pleasant atmosphere of the commons by having too much tarmac.

Matthew John HODGKINSON
(Green Party)

Yes, some of the paths do need resurfacing or replacing and widening such as across Jesus Green and some of the route down to Grantchester. Parker's Piece needs resurfacing again. Mill Road Cemetery is a popular cycle route for families and improvements to the often-potholed paths should be considered.

Stephen Roger LAWRENCE
(Green Party)

Definitely

Peter Harry POPE
(Green Party)

Sustrans Route 51 on Stourbridge Common is a good width. I would not wish to see anything on a larger scale. The broken state of many paths is a further incentive for renewal and the camber on the long path across Midsummer Common is excessive.

Michael Philip POTTER
(Green Party)

Yes, I would support this. The matter of preserving the safety of pedestrians is very important. There should be regulation to ensure that cyclists give way to pedestrians where they share path space. Ideally, cyclists and pedestrians should each have dedicated space. It would be nice to see some social facilities in some areas accesible along these routes, such as cafes and toilet facilities. Not that I am against private enterprise but it would seem a good idea to me to have council run initiatives of this kind, which might also mean that there was sufficient warden care in these areas to make things safer for more vulnerable people. It might secure some steady local employment, care and service related to such schemes.

Marie-Louise HOLLAND
(Independent)

I'm a regular user of the Newnham to Trumpington cycle path across Coe Fen etc.
The widened path is the width of a 'B' road in some sections and the mix between cyclists and pedestrians with buggies, children, dogs is not always good. Cyclists can be arrogant and even aggressive and I have seen a dog run down, my own daughter was clipped on the shoulder by the handlebars of a cyclist who did not stop.

I think we need to address the mix of vehicles and cyclists on the roads and work this out before we tarmac more areas of our precious green spaces.

the dragon fairy PUFFLES
(Independent)

Yes - definitely. In particular I'd like to see them made safer, particularly for people late at night.

Ian TYES
(Independent)

Yes. I strongly dislike shared use footpaths - particularly when they are not marked at all (like Elizabeth Way bridge!), and when they involve huge numbers of dangerously blind junctions (like Milton Road). As part of an integrated network of cycle routes (rather than as happens now - random bits of cycle paths), then yes - properly separating pedestrians and cyclists would make the whole process of travelling much safer for everyone.

Dave BAIGENT
(Labour Party)

Who could argue against this?
Sensitively though, and in consultation with the people of Cambridge.

John BERESFORD
(Labour Party)

Yes.

Lewis HERBERT
(Labour Party)

The cycle and pedestrian paths across Cambridge parks are experiencing increased usage and I support the widening of existing paths where necessary. Several paths across Midsummer Common, for example, need to be widened to make them safer for both cyclists and pedestrians, and people concerned about this consulted before any changes.

Russ MCPHERSON
(Labour Party)

Yes I would; however cyclists have to remember that their speed in these areas is a saftey factor - flying through parks and public spaces at a rate of knots is a very unsafe practice; in these areas the cylist then becomes the 'vehicle' just as the car is on the public highway so due care should be taken. But having said that - with some give & take and as long as the paths are well lit at night that could work very well.

Charlotte PERRY
(Labour Party)

The widening and marking of existing paths will soon become necessary in some areas, and I fully support doing so where it is undertaken in a sensitive manner.

Dan RATCLIFFE
(Labour Party)

Absolutely! We must avoid concreting over the cherished green spaces in the heart of the city but I have long been calling for delineated cycle & foot paths where space allows. Residents in the Brunswick area regularly tell me about near misses and collisions with young and old pedestrians and sometimes pets as well. We need to come up with schemes that make commuting across Midsummer Common and Jesus Green easier and safer for all involved, while maintaining the character of the area.

Mark A READER
(Labour Party)

Sensitive widening of cycle/walking paths across green spaces should be implemented where there is clear demand.

Peter ROBERTS
(Labour Party)

The key word is ‘sensitively’. All of Abbey’s existing councillors support widening paths across Midsummer Common to reduce conflict between pedestrians and bikes. Additional widening outside of Midsummer Common and Jesus Green will need to come with full consultation and input from all groups, especially conservationist groups, but I do not see widening as an insurmountable problem. I welcome encouraging more people to use paths across green space.

Richard ROBERTSON
(Labour Party)

Some of the paths across commons and greens are very heavily used by cyclists and pedestrians and you are right that we need to find ways to reduce the resultant conflict. However you are also right that this would need to be done very sensitively. We have to ensure that we don’t end up tarmacking over too much of the grass and destroying the very environment we seek to maintain.

Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

The cycle and pedestrian paths across some of the green spaces in Cambridge are having increasing usage and I support the widening of existing paths where necessary. The paths across Midsummer Common and Jesus Green, for example, need to be widened to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians and maintained at a high standard.

Peter SARRIS
(Labour Party)

The cycling and pedestrian paths across some of our green spaces are coming under increasingly heavy use, and I support widening where necessary. As someone who is partially sighted, I am very sensitive to this issue.

Ann SINNOTT
(Labour Party)

Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists is a pressing issue on roads, pavements and green spaces.

I would support sensitive widening of paths. Cycle-lanes on paths in green spaces would also help.

Structural changes will certainly help ease tensions but more is needed. I applaud Cam-Cycle’s efforts to tackle inconsiderate cyclists (a troublesome minority) and pavement riding. With a large new influx of students every year (some proportion from non-cycling locations), it seems to me that the city’s universities should undertake similar measures to help their students adapt and become safe, considerate cyclists.

Martin SMART
(Labour Party)

The cycle and pedestrian paths across some of the green spaces in Cambridge are having increasing usage and I support the widening of existing paths where necessary. The paths across Midsummer Common, for example, need to be widened to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Tim SYKES
(Labour Party)

Existing paths such as the one on Midsummer Common should be widened to allow for safe use of bikes and pedestrians. However some responsibility should be on the cyclists themselves. Police should be ensuring that cyclists are using lights while on their bikes particularly in on Midsummer Common as it is common to see people with no lights when it gets dark and it is a danger to pedestrians who are walking along.

Sam WOLFE
(Labour Party)

I support this proposal and know that there might be scope for a small widening of the path in Lammas Land.

Donald Marshall ADEY
(Liberal Democrat)

Support. Coldhams common is crying out fir wider cycle paths. Long overdue. The route from mill road to cherry Hinton (centre) also badly needs to be widened.

Ysanne Margaret AUSTIN
(Liberal Democrat)

In busy areas this would help segregate bikes from pedestrians but it isn't necessary in quieter spots. Cyclists should be encouraged to cycle considerately and not at speed. We need to preserve our green spaces where possible. In most cases improve the quality of the surfaces rather than widening them.

Nicholas Brian AVERY
(Liberal Democrat)

One of the joys of living in Cambridge is cycling across the green spaces – over Coe Fen and past the cows is my personal favourite. I agree with sensitive widening and lighting of these pathways and that this must not be done in a way that displaces pedestrians because one of the other joys of living in Cambridge is walking across the green spaces.

Fergus BLAIR
(Liberal Democrat)

Absolutely. Cambridge’s greens are large enough that there shouldn’t be conflict between pedestrians and cyclists; they should easily be able to support some widening of their cycle routes. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the grass on either side of cycle routes should be properly reinforced and hardened to prevent soil erosion.

Sarah Elizabeth BROWN
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes, subject to adequate consultation of all users of the open spaces. I think the situation on Parker's Piece, between the "disco loos" and the crossing, where there is a separately marked cycleway is a blueprint for how this could be done elsewhere.

Rod CANTRILL
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes I would welcome this and as part of the exercise, the paths could be resurfaced.

Keith EDKINS
(Liberal Democrat)

Worth considering, but will need proper consultation. Cambridge's green spaces can be a touchy subject!

Tim MOORE
(Liberal Democrat)

Both cycling and walking should be encouraged, but where there is a narrow path jointly used it makes good sense to provide separate paths where there is sufficient space and it can be done sensitively.

Zoe O'CONNELL
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes, in principle and as you state, undertaken with appropriate environmental sensitivity.

In general, widening routes will increase safety for all. However, we do need to ensure we do not bring cyclists and pedestrians into conflict with each other - particularly vulnerable, less mobile or younger pedestrians. This is often caused by lack of space or confusing markings, particularly blind corners near slopes where cyclists may be travelling at speed, encouraged by wider routes, so "wider is better" may not be the blanket answer in all cases.

Colin Richard ROSENSTIEL
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes. It is work I am currently engaged in for Midsummer Common.

Paul Stuart SAUNDERS
(Liberal Democrat)

An easy one. Yes, definitely.

Neale UPSTONE
(Liberal Democrat)

Definitely. Some paths are currently not appropriate to call "shared use"

Tim WARD
(Liberal Democrat)

Yes.

Peter BURKINSHAW
(UK Independence Party)

No opinion.

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.