Elections

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Question 5 - we asked:

Recent construction in the city, such as on Abbey Street, Milton Road and at the University Arms have closed routes or removed cycle space. What would you do to ensure that cycle routes remain open and safe as construction grows the city?

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.

39 of the 62 candidates (63%) who were asked this question responded as below.

Those candidate(s) which were elected are highlighted.

Julius CARRINGTON
(Conservative Party)

Again I can lift that straight out of my campaign leaflet - "Cycling infrastructure being a central part of all planning considerations" So if you want planning approval in Cambridge how is the development improving the city's cycling experience? What cycling infrastructure will you be providing for residents and/or tenants? If the development will, in the short term, be impacting cycling routes what mitigations or compensation will be providing to the City's ring fenced cycling infrastructure fund?

Manas DEB
(Conservative Party)
The candidate did not enter a response for this question.
John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

We need to demand more of developers, not only to ensure that developments are designed with sustainability in mind, but to ensure that during construction, disruption is minimized. If they are absolutely necessary, developers should contribute to alternative temporary arrangements.

Joel CHALFEN
(Green Party)

And what about the development of cycle lanes on Hills Road! At present, this is now a hugely dangerous route to cycle.

This is an historic city and our roads cannot cope with the growth in so many ways. Periods of cycle route closure or obstruction during building projects is going to be difficult to avoid. But again it is incumbent upon the Council to ensure that cycle services are maintained as best as possible, to ensure that there are clear replacement routes for bikes around building sites - at a cost to developers - and if this means encroaching on motor traffic space then this may just have to be. Reducing speed limits where there is construction to better manage the presence of cycles on main routes may be necessary. Developers must contribute to alleviating the difficulties imposed by their work ensuring where possible that cycle routes are not unnecessarily closed. And I would be happy to hear of any other reasonable proposals for dealing with this kind of long-term but transitional problem.

Ceri GALLOWAY
(Green Party)

I would hope we would always make sure planning officers and developers work together to consult local people about closure of routes and parking and plan ahead for alternative options. Communication could be improved and residents made to feel they are being heard too often people feel that consultation follows a decision that has already been made by developers and planners alike. A recent proposal to close a pedestrian route to the local school and main cycle route from the guided busway to the Foster Road was made however once people pointed out the disruption it would cause it was rerouted rather then closed. The initial proposal was presented as fait accompli which led to a great deal of anxiety for parents, allotment holders and cyclists and took up officer time, which could have been avoided if a different approach had been taken. I’d like to look at a change in consultation process and would raise this with officers and at planning and council meetings if elected.

Jiameng GAO
(Green Party)

We absolutely need to ensure that alternative cycle routes are provided from the very start of planning. If alternative routes are provided for motorists, then alternative routes must be provided for cyclists too. Both groups of people need their respective lanes to get to work, shop, and travel around the city and there is no reason to treat them differently.

Monica HONE
(Green Party)

Any plans would need to include provision for cyclists and cycling.

Virgil IERUBINO
(Green Party)

All new developments should have to explicitly consider their impact on cycling, and provide accommodations for this.

Sharon KAUR
(Green Party)

I would firstly explore if there are alternative, safe routes possible and then pressure the construction companies to not obstruct public pathways. In the future I would make sure these companies make provisions for cyclists that are also safe to use.

Stephen LAWRENCE
(Green Party)

Where these closures are long-tern, alterntive routes have to be inspected and improved by such things as kerb-levelling, temporary shared use orders etc. Ideally, the city is left better as a result, after the original closure has ended.

Mark SLADE
(Green Party)

Before any work commences, as part of the planning process, provisions should be made. Options are available with some creative thinking. Normally, works only close one lane of traffic. Therefore, if space allows, a single counter-flow lane should be provided for cyclists to allow them to continue unimpeded on the road. If not possible, and space allows, the path could be segregated with a simple ramp put down to lessen the impact of the curb. Alternative cycle parking facilities nearby should be clearly indicated in areas temporarily removed.

Stuart TUCKWOOD
(Green Party)

Genuine consultation with people and the cycling campaign in areas where development is occurring would be the first step to ensure the council understands the need of cyclists using the routes around the development and the acceptability of diversions.

I would give high priority to the needs of cyclists when implementing diversions, and keep in mind the principles of the 'making space for cycling', so that any that need to be implemented ensure cyclists are kept safe and able to use them.

John HIPKIN
(Independent)

Require construction companies not to disrupt cycle routes or to provide alternative routes.

Margery ABBOTT
(Labour Party)

The needs of cyclists and pedestrians should be paramount during disruptions caused by construction work.

Sophie BARNETT
(Labour Party)

It’s frustrating when developers close cycle routes or remove cycle space, where they perhaps would not consider closing a route for cars. As a ward councillor I would keep a close eye on any construction sites and consult residents to ensure that any closures of cycle routes are identified and highlighted to the appropriate officers. Where possible, I would like see routes kept open but where short term closures are inevitable, I would lobby developers/officers to ensure alternative routes are in place with appropriate signage.

John BERESFORD
(Labour Party)

Enable space for cyclists to walk with their cycles.

Rob DRYDEN
(Labour Party)

As in my last answer, it is working together so the Council, Cambridge Cycling Campaign and the contractors should work on prioritising the needs of pedestrians and cyclists when building and road works are been done.

Nigel GAWTHROPE
(Labour Party)

There are construction sites all over the city, so disruption is hard to avoid. Developers need clear construction site management plans, to sign up to the Considerate Constructor scheme and good co-ordination with both County and City Councils. Safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists must be prioritised when roads and pavements are narrowed or obstructed.

Nick GAY
(Labour Party)

I know from painful experience about the cycling chaos at Abbey St/New St which has lasted for at least 3 years. Construction companies should prioritise the needs of cyclists and pedestrians over vehicles when roads are narrowed/ obstructed during when building work and road improvements are being undertaken. All construction companies should be required to be signed up for CLOCS before they are allowed to operate in the Cambridge area.

Danielle GREENE
(Labour Party)

All construction companies should be required to be signed up for CLOCS before they are allowed to operate in the Cambridge area, and the needs of cyclists and pedestrians should be prioritised over vehicles when roads are narrowed or obstructed when building work and road improvements are being undertaken.

Richard JOHNSON
(Labour Party)

I was concerned the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO), handed down at Abbey Street, made no reference to the fact it is a cycle route. I provided my support to the Cycling Campaign’s efforts – and made my own representations - to see the boundary moved to allow cyclists to use the road again.

I agree that with more and more development in the city we need to be vigilant in ensuring routes for cyclists remain open and usable. Personally, I’d like to see stronger and stricter conditions to the granting of TTROs so that continued access for two-way or contraflow cycle routes must be provided if a recognised route is near a proposed development.

I also believe that, from a regulatory standpoint, construction companies should be compelled to sign up to CLOCS. There could also be scope to amend the Considerate Contractors’ Scheme to give more attention to the needs of cycle users around any construction compound.

Ewan MCGAUGHEY
(Labour Party)

Development planning permission can be made contingent on ensuring that cycling routes are open and safe. Closures should not happen unless absolutely necessary, and for the minimum amount of time. Also, it seems right in principle that there should be no automatic preference for closing cycle paths over access for automobile traffic.

Rosy MOORE
(Labour Party)

I would just request that space is kept for cycle lanes and pavements or at least safe through routes for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Richard ROBERTSON
(Labour Party)

Contractors liaise with planners and highway officers with regard to their development sites. I would ask that they be required to accept higher standards of safety for pedestrians and cyclists and that their compliance be monitored more effectively. Too often contractors appear to offer only a token gesture to providing a route past the works. Requirements on contractors need to go further to recognise the needs of pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. The routes the lorries delivering to their sites are allowed to use should be more strictly adhered to. These lorries should be signed up to the Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) standards.

Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

I have complained to the enforcement officer at the City Council about building work which impacts cycling and pedestrians. We also need to make sure that County Council parking officers are vigilant about vehicles parked illegally. An ongoing issue on Milton Road is cars parked in the Bus Lane near Mitcham's Corner which I regularly raise with County officers.
We need to look at Planning Applications and ensure that conditions are made for the building phase of the work that takes into account the impact on pedestrians and cyclists.

Patrick SHEIL
(Labour Party)

Provision of alternative arrangements for cycles (both on highways and in parking) while construction is underway should be lobbied for at the planning stage. I would cultivate relationships with planners and traffic engineers emphasizing the importance of cycling and its value in relieving congestion.

A disposition should be maintained in favour of cycling contraflows in road networks like New Street and Harvest Way with one-way systems for motor vehicles. I would write to developers at an early stage of the permission process reminding them of their obligations in respect of cyclists. I would protest any new development plan that does not provide for cycle paths.

Construction companies should be required to be signed up for CLOCS (see http://www.clocs.org.uk and dowload *CLOCS Standard for construction logistics - Managing work-related road risk*) before they are allowed to operate in the Cambridge area.

Donald ADEY
(Liberal Democrat)

Must be better taken into account at planning stage.

Mark ARGENT
(Liberal Democrat)

Of these, the one I encounter regularly is around the University Arms hotel. There is a minor inconvenience, but is there actually a problem? This instance seems a good example of considerate contractors doing a good job.

Tim BICK
(Liberal Democrat)

I think much more explicit planning conditions should be imposed, and would look to a more proactive approach from the highways authority in their input to the planning process,

Jamie DALZELL
(Liberal Democrat)

I think the ‘Making Space for Cycling’ report provides a great guide for city planners on issues to be considered for cyclists. Obviously, the Planning Committee should consider the transport implications before approving new developments and planning applications should reflect this with additional information about short-term and long-term impacts. The Council then needs to be able to review such applications in the context of accurate data regarding travel patterns for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

In the longer-term, we need to ensure that we use inter-connected street layouts which provide some flexibility and help reduce troublesome bottlenecks in the transport network.

Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

Disruption cannot always be avoided during construction schemes, but the County Council should always make sure cyclists and other road users are safe. The City Council needs to use its Considerate Contractor scheme to work closely with contractors and I would support a review of the scheme to see if there's potential to provide stronger protection for the public. In our manifesto, the Lib Dems are promising to employ an extra enforcement officer to ensure developers comply with the obligations required of them.

Daniel LEVY
(Liberal Democrat)

A combination of planning and the City Council's Considerate Contractor scheme could be used to try and protect cycle routes. Enforcing the terms of planning applications would be a part of this and the if we controlled the council, Liberal Democrats would employ an extra officer for this. We would also need to work with colleagues on the County Council to try and ensure that efforts are made to accommodate the interests of all road uses in its plans.

Another thing that could be done would be to liaise with local community groups and representatives of those affected by major construction projects to see to it that their needs are addressed through the use of things such as constructive method statements.

Lucy NETHSINGHA
(Liberal Democrat)

I agree that this needs to be given a far higher priority when the city and county council are looking at the conditions for construction, it is not right that cyclists should always be the first to suffer, while walkers and drivers get priority!

Shahida RAHMAN
(Liberal Democrat)

I want the County Council to amend its policy when responding to planning applications: there should be a condition placed on all construction such that no cycle or pedestrian provision can be made worse in the construction period.

Nicky SHEPARD
(Liberal Democrat)

Cambridge is a growing and developing city, which means that building work will take place. It is important for any building projects to take into account the needs of all when planning the work. Where cycle routes or parking are affected, it is important to ensure that suitable alternatives are put in place.

Catherine SMART
(Liberal Democrat)

Closing a route, even for good reasons, without providing an alternative is not acceptable. This goes for all transport modes but is particularly important for cycling and walking. It is also crucial to signpost it properly.

What to do when this doesn't happen can be tricky and partly depend on how long the closure will last and whether it was planned or an emergency. Liaison with the police, the highway authority and the contractor are all options that can be (and would be) pursued.

Tim WARD
(Liberal Democrat)

There is limited scope for redevelopment in Arbury as pretty well all available land is already in use. Nonetheless I would keep a close eye on planning applications and road scheme proposals and make appropriate representations where cycle routes or cycle parking are threatened.

Peter BURKINSHAW
(UK Independence Party)

When road works are necessary, all road users will suffer restrictions

Richard JEFFS
(UK Independence Party)

I would like to see motorised transport consigned to tunnels in the centre in the future.

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.