Elections
Elections to Cambridgeshire County Council 2017: Queen Edith's
Summary: | Elections to Cambridgeshire County Council, May 2017 |
Polling date: | Thursday 4th May 2017 |
Division: |
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Candidates (by surname): |
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Questions for Queen Edith's division candidates (6 questions)
# Question 1
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 for yourself?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
I cycle most journeys in the city and also beyond. This is also the case when travelling with my three young children but with them it is certainly harder: the lack of consistency in cycle routes, the abrupt ending of cycle routes, the inadequacy of many shared pedestrian/cycle paths all make family cycling very troubling. Whilst I feel able, by and large, to navigate these obstacles to safe cycling, as well as the congestion, myself, riding with children (whether I have them on the bike with me or if they are cycling themselves) is quite another matter. Ironically, perhaps, the new Hills Road cycle route is just as much - if not more of a challenge to family cycling as they have created fast cycling that is as much a danger to the children as the motor traffic and the additional issue of cars turning across the cycle path. |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
I cycle with my family in weekends and often join my child cycling to his school in sunny days. My son has passed level 3 in cycling and we send him for cycling courses arranged by his school from time to time. I cycle with my son in Queen Edith’s in weekdays evenings. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
I cycle for pleasure. My wife commutes using a bicycle each day - a journey of 7 miles. It's good to see the very young learning to cycle with the correct supervision. It is important that they are trained properly and they need to look out for pedestrians. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
Cycling is my main mode of transport and I cycle to and from work most days as well as around Queen Edith's and to and from the County Council. My teenage son also cycles to and from school. I currently ride a Giant commuter bike, but had experience of a tagalong bike when my son was younger. This taught me that parking provision for non-standard bikes is not very good. I do have concerns about the safety of some journeys in Cambridge, eg the Hills Road bridge and junctions such as Queen Edith's Way and Long Road, which are dangerous for inexperienced cyclists. |
# Question 2
What challenges do people face in your area that prevent them from cycling, especially children and those using cycling as a mobility aid, and how will you address them?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
As above, the challenges to m children cycling is the inconsistency of cycle paths. For those using cycling as a mobility aid, it is a similar issue. Cherry Hinton Road is a good example of how poor the cycle infrastructure is. The amount of congestion makes cycling hazardous and, as ever, it is looking for whole picture solutions that matters, improving public transport alongside investment in cycling and challenging car use but as a step by step approach more could be done to make off-road cycling more feasible. The lack of cycle parking can also be a concern and whilst much has been done to improve this, there will always be scope for more. Bicycle skills - which are essential given the congestion - do need to be taught and I would like to see Bikeability schemes being offered to students of all ages - starting with Year 1 and going up to sixth form and university. |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
More than often some cars don’t follow speed limits and speeding cars at round about and near schools could be dangerous for young school going cyclist and as a County Councillor, I would like to see more slowing downs signs and cameras before round about and schools. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
Poor lighting on cycle paths. The route to Shelford from Addenbrookes ( the DNA path) is a case in point. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
Speeding traffic, dangerous parking and roads without cycle lanes all make cycling unsafe for children and adults. In Queen Edith's, the areas with most accidents are the roundabouts, particularly the ones at each end of Mowbray Road. The Hills Road bridge is intimidating for less experienced cyclists, as the cycle lane is in between two car lanes. Some school routes, eg Queen Edith's Way, have no cycle lanes. Smaller roads such as Baldock Way are used by cyclists avoiding the main roads but can be almost as dangerous due to the narrowness of the street meaning there is no space to pass. We need secure cycle parking near people's homes as well as at institutions, eg Hills Road Sixth Form College. |
# Question 3
Which aspects of current City Deal proposals do you support, and what additional measures which have not been officially proposed do you think should be explored?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
Of the current 'City Deals' the proposal for a ‘comprehensive network of pedestrian and cycle routes within Cambridge’ and ensuring that on ‘the main radial routes’ buses will have ‘high quality priority measures’ are closest to what I support. Investing in key routes in and out of town is important but risks the 'Hills Road effect' in which a super-cycleway is constructed for a short part of the journey and the rest of that route is left unchanged. There are many smarter options that need real attention and investment: ranging from driverless cars to congestion charging and low emission zones. The workplace levy is a Green Party proposal and this ought to be considered carefully. Engaging stakeholders is vital and above all else, I would seek to change the progamme of so-called consultation in which local residents and local experts are being overlooked for private consultants. The City Deal must be a local project - not just about local problems but approached with local people in a meaningful way. The process is as important as the solutions. The City Deal also covers housing and training of course - issues that need broader and deeper thinking too but not of direct concern here. |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
I would support the expansion of bus station at Addenbrooke’s to reduce traffic congestion in Queen Edith’s division and as a Councillor would like to see that Park & Ride is made free for everyone so that city commuters are encouraged to leave their car in Park & Ride site and catch a bus or cycle to wherever they need to go in the City. If elected I would like to build more dedicated parking spaces for cyclist in the city. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
I approve of the improvements to cycle safety at junctions. The Dutch model for roundabouts is a good, proven method. I do not support over development of cycleways where there is little evidence of the need. All schemes need to be considered with the full participation from the beginning of residents, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
The Chisholm Trail will be a great enhancement for cyclists and walkers Improvements to bus services are welcome, although they are predicated on reduced congestion and may not be deliverable. The Park & Ride expansion is good, but should not be at the expense of ordinary bus services, which serve everybody, including those without cars. At present, the Park & Ride sites are half empty, due to the Conservative-imposed parking charges, which have displaced vehicles to residential streets. The workplace levy should be used carefully so that it does not disadvantage those without alternative means of transport. The City deal Board should consider exemptions for key workers, eg NHS staff and teacher The City Deal has got off to a bad start by failing to engage effectively with local residents, and by disregarding local opinions and preferences when it does consult. Much more consideration needs to be given to people who live in an area rather than just to those travelling through, and to the specific needs of different users: for example, if a cycle route is catering for children, it should be designed differently from one for adult commuters. |
# Question 4
Which junctions in your area need to be improved to increase safety for people cycling, and how what can be done to fix them?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
Cherry Hinton Road/Queen Edith's Way - cycle prioritisation; Hills Road/Long Road/Queen Edith's Way is hopefully being improved but some uncertainty there; floating bus stops on Hills Road should be supported by zebra crossings to manage cycle/motor/pedestrian clashes. |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
I would like to see some improvements in traffic management at both sides of Mowbray Road round about and Addenbrooke’s round about. Cyclists and Pedestrians should be given priorities at round about to improve safety. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
The Addenbrookes roundabout plus Fendon Road. This is currently being addressed. The junctions (roundabouts) on Queen Edith's Way are also to be improved. I would like to see traffic calming measures on QEW. Any scheme here would need very careful consideration as the road is narrow and the environment quite 'green' and is a residential street. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
Hills Rd-Long Rd junction – being addressed by City Deal cross-city cycling scheme |
# Question 5
With Park Street due for demolition, and Grand Arcade cycle park frequently beyond capacity, where do you think a third covered city centre cycle park should be located? What other additional actions do you propose to increase cycle parking capacity on our city centre streets?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
I haven't thought about a location for a third cycle park. Limiting motor vehicle use of the city centre should free up car parking spaces for cycle parking. It would be great to have an app for cyclists who can identify potential parking spaces where there currently are none as they come across them. |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
I would support expansion of cycle parking spaces in Addenbrooke’s s site to encourage staff members to use cycle to work instead of car. Grand Arcade should be expanded to accommodate more cycles parking for city visitors. As a Councillor, I will try to put up more signage on the roads directing people to cycle parking places. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
There are a number of smaller sites in Cambridge that are as yet under-developed. I would like to see more done to facilitate local parking in various places. One example is Botolph's Lane area. The larger parking areas are more suited to bus and rail stations. Many cyclists would welcome more facilities closer to their workplace. The problem is always the availability of land which is at a high premium in Cambridge. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
Expand the Grand Arcade cycle park itself – provide better signage. Despite the new multi-storey cycle park at the railway station, there are still bikes parked in the street, possibly because not everyone can cope with double-decker racks and ramps. Better signage to the cycle park is needed, and an unimpeded route, as it is hard to reach it if travelling from the south. |
# Question 6
What measures would you support to boost cycle commuting into Cambridge? For instance, the City Deal Greenways proposal, reuse of old railway alignments, or new bridges over main roads?
Relevant links (each opens in a new window):
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Joel CHALFEN (Green Party) |
I support the Chisholm Trail and the investment in the new Greenways cycle routes into villages and areas surrounding Cambridge City. As mentioned, there is potential in the Workforce Parking Levy as a way of reducing commuter traffic into the city, it will raise significant money to invest in new public transport infrastructure also which could benefit the city. Moreover, it will encourage positive conversations with local businesses and securing their commitment to cycle parking for their workers. I would like to see protected cycle ways from the park and ride sites into the city centre. Also more protected, safe cycle storage at park and ride sites which would mean people could get to the sites by car or other means and travel from there into the city by bike. As a party we have a strategic vision for transport across the region which includes many more ideas, you can read this here; https://cambridge.greenparty.org.uk/site/Cambridge/files/Transport_Policy_2017.pdf |
Manas DEB (Conservative Party) |
I would support dedicated free cycle parking spaces in Park & Ride to encourage people to park their car in Park & Ride site and use their cycle to work place. I will also campaign for employers to provide dedicated cycle stand at work place and changing room for cyclists. |
Adam POUNDS (Labour Party) |
I like the idea of the Greenways as long as they have minimal impact on the environment. It would be great to see far less cars on the road. Cycling along such routes would also mean that the cyclist would be in a safer environment and be able to enjoy the countryside. They would be much quicker and they would also be away from direct pollution. |
Amanda TAYLOR (Liberal Democrat) |
More liaison with employers to work towards becoming cycle-friendly employers, provide secure cycle parking, changing facilities and other support for cycling. |
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.