Elections

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Question 5 - we asked:

How important is it for every rural village to have at least one safe and accessible off-road path for people walking and cycling, connecting to the growing network of such routes in the county? What action should be taken to enable everyone in the county to have access to the cycling network?

We asked this question in all 4 wards, namely: Girton, Harston & Comberton, Melbourn, Milton & Waterbeach.

5 of the 15 candidates (33%) who were asked this question responded as below.

Those candidate(s) which were elected are highlighted.

Lorraine Wendy MOONEY
(Conservative Party)

From listening to rural residents during Greenways consultations, it’s clear that many need to get between villages rather than into Cambridge. The Greenways network will be a great help towards off-road connections; hopefully this will inspire cooperation among parish councils to improve existing pathways between villages. The bridleway between Barton and Grantchester was resurfaced a few years ago, with volunteers from both villages donating time and materials, much improving year-round access.

Eleanor Ruth CRANE
(Green Party)

It’s extremely important for people’s health and wellbeing. I have friends and family who live in very rural areas and they essentially have to get in their car every time they leave the house (or risk walking along a single-lane road with no verges and cars doing 60mph). My partner didn’t learn to ride a bike until adulthood because, growing up, there was nowhere safe near his house for him to cycle. To enable everyone in the county to have access to the cycling network, this needs to be a priority in planning so that gaps in the network are filled in and new developments do not break up the existing network. Routes need to be maintained and signposted. Providing information and maps is also important so people are aware of what routes exist near them.

Paul BEARPARK
(Liberal Democrat)

The GCP Greenways programme is an excellent first step towards providing connectivity between the villages around Cambridge and the City. However, this programme needs to be fast-tracked. The Waterbeach Greenway, in particular, should be in place before New Town occupation.

However, it should be possible for everyone in the County to be able to travel to their neighbouring villages by bicycle, E-bike or other active travel mode. For example, the majority of secondary school age children in Waterbeach attend Cottenham Village College. They should have the opportunity to cycle safely to school. The only option is to cycle along a national speed limit rural road.

Corinne Mary GARVIE
(Liberal Democrat)

I think this is very important but can be difficult to achieve because it relies on landowners giving up a sliver of land. A footpath/cycleway was proposed from Dry Drayton which relied on a landowner selling them a sliver of land which he was not prepared to give at an affordable price. However there are more off road cycleways now so it must be possible and important to develop.

Sally Ann HART
(Liberal Democrat)

The dedicated cycle path in Melborn has provided a safer route for cyclists, walkers, children scooting, skaters, runners and adults with prams/buggies to exercise and reach businesses on the outskirts of the village. Its use has dramatically increased over the last 12 months and this model could be replicated across the county. It would also make sense to identify ways for the network to connect.

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.