Elections
2015 South Cambridgeshire District Council election: Balsham
Summary: | 2015 elections to South Cambridgeshire District Council |
Polling date: | Thursday 7th May 2015 |
Ward: |
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Candidates (by surname): |
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Questions for Balsham ward candidates (4 questions)
# Question 1
Cambridge Cycling Campaign has created a guide to cycling best-practice called Making Space For Cycling, endorsed by all national cycling organisations. Do you fully support this guide, and if so, what one principle in it do you think could most effectively be applied in your ward?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all wards…
John BATCHELOR (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Imogen BUXTON (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Ellie CRANE (Green Party) |
Yes, I support this guide. Walking and cycling, along with disabled access to transport, are the Green Party's top transport priorities. We would ensure that pedestrians and cyclists get their fare share of road space and would spend at least £30 per head on them over every year of the Parliament. Funding should be allocated flexibly to make safe, convenient routes that address the needs of pedestrians and cyclists while reducing any risk of conflict between them. Balsham is a largely rural ward, so the sections of the document that are aimed at urban environments are less relevant. A big issue for cyclists in the area is the fast and relatively narrow country roads that connect our villages. I think the ‘people need space’ principle is very relevant: there is a need for good quality off-road cycle routes in our area to allow cyclists to get from A to B without having to share roads with fast traffic. This could involve building new cycle paths, and in some cases improving the signage and surfacing of existing bridleways. |
Richard TURNER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 2
What measures would you like to see to improve the safety of children getting to school?
Responses to this question from all wards…
John BATCHELOR (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Imogen BUXTON (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Ellie CRANE (Green Party) |
The Green Party wants to see a step change in road safety. The aim is a road transport system that results in zero deaths or serious injuries, to be achieved by systematically reducing sources of danger on the roads. We would: The Green Party will support an Active Travel Bill for England. For example, we would: We will make sure that rural areas like Balsham are not neglected when transport budgets and planning for our cities and city regions are under discussion. |
Richard TURNER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 3
What experience do you and your family have of cycling? Do you have any different concerns about younger or older family members cycling than you do yourself?
Responses to this question from all wards…
John BATCHELOR (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Imogen BUXTON (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Ellie CRANE (Green Party) |
I and my partner are regular cyclists, using our bikes for short distance trips (up to about 5 miles) into Cambridge and between villages. I do not have any children and my older family members do not cycle. |
Richard TURNER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 4
The 2011 census shows that South Cambridgeshire has the highest levels of cycle commuting of any non-urban area, including substantial cycling into Cambridge city: how would you rate the current conditions for cycling from your ward into Cambridge, and how could it be improved?
Responses to this question from all wards…
John BATCHELOR (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Imogen BUXTON (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Ellie CRANE (Green Party) |
Balsham is approximately 10 miles out of Cambridge, which is beyond the reach of many 'casual' cyclists. As previously mentioned, the main issue is unsafe country roads. While there are bridleway routes etc, these need to be better connected and signposted to make them convenient for cyclists to use. |
Richard TURNER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
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.