Elections

2016 Cambridge City Council Election: West Chesterton

Summary: Elections to Cambridge City Council May 2016
Polling date: Thursday 5th May 2016
Ward:
Candidates
(by surname):
  • John BACHELOR  (Green Party)
  • Celia CONWAY  (UK Independence Party)
  • Nicola HARRISON  (Liberal Democrat)
  • Simon LEE  (Conservative Party)
  • Mike SARGEANT  (Labour Party)

Questions for West Chesterton ward candidates (8 questions)

Jump to question:  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8 

# 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?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

I fully support 'Make Space for Cycling'. I think the key principle for West Chesterton is in the title - there needs to be space for cycling of a sufficiently quality and quantity. For example, the City Deal proposals for Milton Road suggest a cycle lane less than 2m wide, significantly less than the 2.5m recommended for a route of this type (allowing overtaking without disrupting the flow of vehicular traffic). There are better solutions which provide enough space for cyclists as well as pedestrians, vehicular traffic and plants.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

The guide is very useful and I hope it's already having an influence, not only on the county and city councils (and the City Deal) but on developers. Of your three principles Directness, Convenience and Speed, I think many residents in West Chesterton value Convenience very highly, for example in meeting the need for children and older/less mobile people to move around the local community, to and from school, shops, library etc. Some main routes like Milton Road also need to provide for cyclists who need fast, direct routes, so an appropriate balance has to be found.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

Although Cambridge is regarded as the cycling capital of the UK we should not be complacent as there is a great deal to be done to create better provision for cyclists and pedestrians. “Making Space for Cycling” is an excellent guide for improving cycling infrastructure but should not be regarded as an exclusive guide as there is much to be gained by also using the SUSTRANS “Handbook for Cycle Friendly Design” as a complementary design guide.
I was instrumental in getting cycleways in Gilbert Road and support segregated cycle ways and would like to see them introduced on the re-configured Milton Road and Histon Road. I believe Chesterton Road should be treated in a similar way rather than the mixture of on road and on pavement that we have currently.

# Question 2

What measures would you like to see to improve the safety of children getting to school?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

The plans for cycling provision need to provide wide lanes which must be separated from the road so that cyclists of all ages and abilities can feel safe. Ultimately measures such as improved cycling provision, a congestion charge and changes in parking restrictions would decrease the number of vehicles on Cambridge's roads. 20mph zones would also improve safety. These measures would greatly improve the safety of both walking and cycling to school.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

At the strategic level, I want the City Deal to invest in cycling infrastructure and implement anti-congestion measures which will free up roadspace for cyclists, pedestrians and buses, cut commuter parking and raise funds to support an excellent bus service (see the Lib Dem transport statement at www.cambridgelibdems.org.uk/congestion-crisis). At the local level, there is a lot of concern in West Chesterton about the danger to children from poor visibility at junctions, access roads congested with traffic and parked cars, and poor road crossings. Some parents do not want to lose the option of shared use paths suitable for young children to cycle on. Tailored local solutions are needed, including yellow lines and, where there is local support, residents' parking controls.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

Parents should be discouraged from transporting their children to school by car. It is great to see large numbers of children cycling, walking and using public transport to get to school but there are still too many children being dropped off from cars causing conflict and competition for space and danger to children as they arrive and leave school. I would like to see “no car zones” around schools as has been introduced in some towns. Extending the “Bikeability” schemes to children in the lower years at secondary schools should be considered.
One of the challenges for the City Deal on Milton Road is that many children live on the western side of Milton Road and would be discouraged if they had to cross the twice to get to Milton Road School and Chesterton Community College. A 2 way cycleway needs to be implemented on the stretch from Arbury Road to Gilbert Road.

# 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?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

I cycle around the city daily, as well as enjoying off-road cycling for leisure. I rely on fast acceleration, a high speed in general and emphatic signalling in order to feel safe. This pressure to compete with cars should not be a part of cycling, and others understandably find it difficult to feel safe.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

I do most city journeys by bike and brought my children up to enjoy the freedom that cycling offers young people in this city. I do worry about the safety of children and young people and believe cycling training is of great importance in schools, but there are also important issues for older people. To ensure that people can continue cycling into old age, it's vital to provide safe, convenient routes and plenty of easily accessible cycle parking at local shopping centres, doctors surgeries etc.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

I rarely use my car and cycle around the city as much as possible. My son and daughter both cycled from Gilbert Road to Hills Road and Long Road 6th Form Colleges respectively. My son became a confident cyclist after taking a County Council course. They now cycle in Hull and London respectively and I do not have an particular concerns.

# Question 4

Secure cycle parking has been fixed in the short term at Cambridge Railway Station but is still a major problem for people travelling to work or to shop in the city centre. Where do you think that additional cycle parking can be provided in the city centre?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

Consulting with colleges over providing more cycle parking on site for students and staff (including visitors) would free up space. This certainly doesn't solve the problem though, and a city centre cycle park is needed. A solution should take into account the busiest routes and directions taken into the city centre. Increased space for cycle parking on the Grand Arcade site could be effective.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

I would support more space being given over to cycle parking in the multi-storey car parks and I think there's scope to replace some Pay & Display car parking with cycle racks, eg at Park Terrace. In our manifesto, the Lib Dems are offering support to local neighbourhoods willing to convert 1 in 20 on-street parking spaces to other community uses; cycle parking could be one such use. In West Chesterton, more cycle parking is needed at Mitcham's Corner and could be provided if a public realm improvement scheme can be funded.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

The City Council has done a splendid job in providing additional cycle parking throughout the city centre but demand still far outstrips supply of secure places to park bikes. The viability of taking some of the car parking spaces in Lion Yard Car Park could be explored along with investigating a cycle parking area under Market Square. Some spaces used for on street car parking should be changed to be used for cycle parking. Park Street Car Park when rebuilt should have expanded cycle parking provision.
We also need much more cycle parking in the residential areas an local shopping areas while making sure other people including the disabled have good access.

# Question 5

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?

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.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
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.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
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.

# Question 6

Cycle routes which are narrow and involves sharp turns and chicanes make routes difficult or impossible for users of tricycles, handcycles and cargo bikes, impairing accessibility for the most vulnerable. Can you think of anywhere in your ward that is difficult to use on a non-standard cycle and what will you do to improve it?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

The turn from Manhattan Drive to the cycle route through to the A1134 is too sharp and narrow. Perhaps the cycle and pedestrian lanes could be swapped along that section of route, so cyclists can take a slightly wider line round the curve. Widening the curve further would involve removing a tree, which would be undesirable.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

The worst example I know of in West Chesterton is the bottleneck between Mulberry Close and Milton Road, which I use a lot. I think this is on private land, but I believe there is a public right of way, and if I'm elected I shall investigate whether the landowners would be willing to work with the local authorities to improve it.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

Arbury Road has a narrow cycle lane which quickly disappears as it reaches the on street parking. A lot of the dual use cycleways are 2 way and are not that suitable for larger cycles. The cycle route from Arbury Road to Kirkby Close would be very difficult for larger cycles.

# Question 7

Protected junctions where pedestrian and bicycle traffic are fully separated from motorised traffic have been proposed by Cambridge Cycling Campaign for the Milton Road / Elizabeth Way junction. Which junctions do you think would benefit from this safety improvement within the Cambridge area?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

Mitcham's Corner, Chesterton Rd/Elizabeth Way Roundabout, Sainsbury's Roundabout

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

I'm not a highway designer but I imagine there could be scope to design this kind of junction at the Milton Road/Kings Hedges Road junction, and perhaps at the Chesterton Rd/Elizabeth Way roundabout. The double mini-roundabout at Trumpington St/Lensfield Rd/fen Causeway causes me concern and I'd be interested to know whether the Cycling Campaign feels a fully separated junction could be achieved here.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

As someone who has been knocked off their bike on this junction, I fully support segregation. All roundabouts especially larger ones (and of course the biggest - Mitcham's Corner) are a discouragement to all but the most confident cyclists.
In West Chesterton, the other concern at junctions is where cars park right up to the junction e.g. Courtney Way and Gurney Way from Gilbert Road and Hurst Park Avenue from Milton Road.

# Question 8

Residential streets used by commuters to park all day for free increases traffic on already congested roads. This has an impact on cycle safety. It also means that residents of those streets may not be able to park cars outside or even near their own homes during the daytime. How would you solve this problem?

John BACHELOR
(Green Party)

Residents should always have priority over parking outside their homes.The current approaches to parking restrictions in Cambridge are inconsistent, and simply push commuter parking further out of the city into suburbs. The current restrictions should be extended to cover the whole city - with differences in the exact restrictions as necessary in different areas. Park & Ride and Park & Cycle facilities should be provided outside the city, with high-quality routes leading to the city centre. Once these facilities are established, a congestion charge would help to deter commuters from driving into the city to park.

Celia CONWAY
(UK Independence Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Nicola HARRISON
(Liberal Democrat)

I support a range of interventions: (a) The £1 parking charge at Park&Ride sites should be abolished. It has induced many commuters to drive into the city and park for free, causing a great deal of difficulty in some city communities. Let's get rid of it. (b) The Lib Dem manifesto proposes 'demand management' measures to reduce commuter traffic and the problem of commuter parking in the city. (c) Some city neighbourhoods which suffer intense parking problems may decide they want residents' parking schemes and if elected I am ready to help those communities get what they want.

Simon LEE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Mike SARGEANT
(Labour Party)

Residents parking schemes or single yellow lines with one hour prohibited parking in the middle of the day are ways to solve the problem. But of course, residents need to be consulted on the measures that can be implemented in their areas.
The best approach is to provide improved public transport and cycling to give commuters attractive alternatives. This should be combined with measures at the city boundaries to control and deter cars usually with Park and Ride as an alternative.

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.