Elections

Local elections (County), May 2019: Trumpington

Summary: By-election for Cambridgeshire County Council in May 2019
Polling date: Thursday 2nd May 2019
Division: Trumpington
Candidates
(by surname):
  • Barbara Anne ASHWOOD  (Liberal Democrat)
  • Beverley CARPENTER  (Green Party)
  • Rob GRAYSTON  (Labour Party)
  • Shapour MEFTAH  (Conservative Party)

Questions for Trumpington division candidates (2 questions)

Jump to question:  1   2 

# Question 1

A junction with the Busway at Hobson Avenue was recently created. Traffic lights have been installed that give priority to the very low-traffic Hobson Avenue over the Busway. The hundreds of people walking and cycling per hour along the Busway path are now expected to press a button and wait up to 30 seconds for a green man to cross a side road. This seems to us the wrong priority. Would you seek to rectify this situation, so that the priority is restored to walking, cycling and public transport on the Busway?

Barbara Anne ASHWOOD
(Liberal Democrat)

Hobson Avenue is low-traffic at the moment but this will change significantly when the GP surgery locates from the High Street to Hobson Square. Trumpington has the highest number of over 70's of any Ward in Cambridge and I expect traffic to increase considerably once older residents have much further to travel for an appointment. The Community Centre will also become busier as more people visit the area. Building is still taking place in the immediate vicinity of the Square which will add to the number of cars 'living' in the vicinity and needing to cross the Busway to exit the development.
I fully appreciate the importance of the Busway path and walk it regularly. I would want to survey traffic flows in a few months time then work with County Officers to improve the sequencing of the lights to better serve Busway users.

Beverley CARPENTER
(Green Party)

In Cambridge the presumption is that walking and cycling are given priority in our urban areas. It is important that the experience of pedestrians and cyclists is a good one. In this instance I would seek to restore priority to walking, cycling and public transport on the Busway.

Rob GRAYSTON
(Labour Party)

In an area where there seems to be a low amount of car traffic it would make sense to restore priority to alternative means of transport, but this would need to be backed up with metrics – not only would data help decide how to amend the Hobson Avenue junction, but it could inform future decisions about how to install similar junctions.

Data could be collected by community survey (digital and paper), along with measurements of journey type at the junction.

Shapour MEFTAH
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.

# Question 2

What would you do to improve the Newtown area, which is currently difficult to cycle through because of the many one-way streets and short-cutting by some drivers? Would you support the development of a comprehensive plan to improve the area?

Barbara Anne ASHWOOD
(Liberal Democrat)

As County Councillor 2013-17 I worked with Newtown residents to attempt to sort some of these problems, the biggest of which, I suspect, is the residents themselves. There are a large number of private schools in a small area and during peak times, I had concerns about the safety of cyclists, in particular children going to and from school. The Officer responsible for reviewing parking etc. is well aware of local feelings and has tried to take these into account when devising improved road usage. I would be keen to work with her and the local Residents' Associations to ensure a suitable solution is developed that improves cycle access without impacting unduly on other road users. However, it should be noted that Newtown is no longer in Trumpington for County elections but forms part of Petersfield ward. I would be prepared to work with the relevant County Councillor given my previous experience.

Beverley CARPENTER
(Green Party)

I would definitely support the development of a comprehensive plan to improve the area. The safety of cyclists is key and a local consultation should be done with advice taken from CamCycle and cyclists who regularly use the route. I cycle in this area myself and agree that it can be difficult to negotiate safely at times in view of moving vehicles.

Rob GRAYSTON
(Labour Party)

A comprehensive plan would be a good idea, with consultation amongst residents, CamCycle, local schools and any other relevant parties. Through talking to those most affected there could be several options identified, which should be considered before any choices made – developments in a community need everyone’s voice or they’re worthless.

As potential options which could be looked at, traffic calming measures such as the traffic ‘gateways’ employed in Romsey (Cromwell Road Roundabout) and an increased use of bollards could be investigated so as to dissuade rat-running and continue to allow cycle access though this will obviously need to be considered with access to the schools in mind. Another possible option would be making roads 2-way for cycles which are 1-way for cars, although with the width of the streets this would need to be carefully considered whether it would be effective or not.

Shapour MEFTAH
(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.