Elections
Durham County Council elections, 2021: Aycliffe North and Middridge
Summary: | Elections to Durham County Council in May 2021 |
Polling date: | Thursday 6th May 2021 |
Division: |
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Candidates (by surname): |
Candidates who have not yet responded are welcome to contact us with their replies to the questions for us to publish. |
Questions for Aycliffe North and Middridge division candidates (4 questions)
# Question 1
What experiences do you or your family members have of cycling for either transport or leisure? Bearing in mind that e-bikes can now make County Durham's hills easy, what would you consider to be the main barriers which prevent more people from cycling in your area, and how would you tackle these?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Kathryn Sarah BEETHAM (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Dorothy BOWMAN (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Duncan CLARE (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Sandra HAIGH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Jed HILLARY (Labour Party) |
In the main, the pavements are too narrow to cater safely for cyclists and pedestrians. As a child in the 60's and 70's the Highway Code required cyclusts to ride on the road. Today the roads are too busy. Significantly more cycle routes are required. New developments should be designed with wider pavements like those in Europe, with split pedestrian/cycle lanes. |
Andrea MILLER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Douglas MOORE (Independent) |
We have no recent experience of cycling. I have a lifetime of experience as a motor cyclist. There are insufficient dedicated cycle ways. The speed of traffic is an issue as is the aggressive behaviour of some motorists. |
Maureen SHELTON (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Michael STEAD (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Tony STUBBS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
David SUTTON-LLOYD (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 2
Schools in County Durham have bike shelters but they are often empty. Children who might like to cycle are often driven to school because parents don't consider our streets safe enough for children to walk or cycle. What are your views about cycling as a travel option for children? What practical changes would you like to see in your area to enable children to cycle?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Kathryn Sarah BEETHAM (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Dorothy BOWMAN (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Duncan CLARE (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Sandra HAIGH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Jed HILLARY (Labour Party) |
I would like to see a resurgence of the cycling proficiency scheme for children. I vaguely remember, many years ago, the Northern Echo running a Knight of the Road scheme for young cyclists. |
Andrea MILLER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Douglas MOORE (Independent) |
The current situation does not provide a safe environment for children cycling to school. The exception being where access is possible via the bridleways that exist around the town Reduce speed limits |
Maureen SHELTON (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Michael STEAD (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Tony STUBBS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
David SUTTON-LLOYD (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 3
The surge in cycling during the Covid 19 lockdowns showed how quieter and safer conditions encourage people to cycle. Cycling can help address many issues:
* the climate emergency, if people cycle instead of making shorter journeys by car
* social inclusion, because cycling is affordable and enables those on low incomes to access employment and other opportunities
* the health crisis, as exercise incorporated into journeys is very effective
How big a role do you think cycling can play in tackling these urgent issues? How can Durham County Council increase investment in cycling and quickly deliver safe, complete cycle routes to key destinations?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Kathryn Sarah BEETHAM (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Dorothy BOWMAN (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Duncan CLARE (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Sandra HAIGH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Jed HILLARY (Labour Party) |
I believe cycling can play a big part in this, so long as infrastructure investment matches the ambition. |
Andrea MILLER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Douglas MOORE (Independent) |
I would agree that cycling would play a significant part in tackling the issues detailed above. |
Maureen SHELTON (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Michael STEAD (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Tony STUBBS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
David SUTTON-LLOYD (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 4
Over the last year a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has been prepared for Newton Aycliffe by consultants working for the County Council. This will set out the improvements that are needed to enable people to walk and cycle their journeys around the town. Will you commit to working to get a good proportion of this plan implemented during your term of office?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
Kathryn Sarah BEETHAM (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Dorothy BOWMAN (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Duncan CLARE (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Sandra HAIGH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Jed HILLARY (Labour Party) |
Yes, of course. However, I would expect significantly more to be delivered in Aycliffe given it's one of the largest conurbations in the County and therefore has more cyclists. |
Andrea MILLER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
John Douglas MOORE (Independent) |
I will commit to working toward the implementation of the detail contained in the LCWIP. |
Maureen SHELTON (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Michael STEAD (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
Tony STUBBS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
David SUTTON-LLOYD (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
SPACE for Durham is a non-partisan body. All candidates are given an equal opportunity to submit their views. Information published by SPACE for Durham, c/o 35 Archery Rise, Durham, DH1 4LA.