Elections

Durham County Council elections, 2021: Aycliffe West

Summary: Elections to Durham County Council in May 2021
Polling date: Thursday 6th May 2021
Division:
Candidates
(by surname):
  • Eddy ADAM  (Labour Party)
  • Michaela Helen BANTHORPE  (Freedom Alliance)
  • George Coulson GRAY  (Independent)
  • Kate HOPPER  (Labour Party)
  • Elizabeth Rosemary MAW  (Conservative Party)
  • Ken ROBSON  (Independent)
  • James Robert WALSH  (Liberal Democrat)
  • Paul Andrew WHITING  (Liberal Democrat)

Candidates who have not yet responded are welcome to contact us with their replies to the questions for us to publish.

Questions for Aycliffe West division candidates (4 questions)

Jump to question:  1   2   3   4 

# 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?

Eddy ADAM
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Michaela Helen BANTHORPE
(Freedom Alliance)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
George Coulson GRAY
(Independent)

My Daughter and son in law and there Two boys go for a bike ride every night only about five or six miles before tea.

Kate HOPPER
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Elizabeth Rosemary MAW
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Ken ROBSON
(Independent)

Cycling is making pedestrian safety a major concern on footpaths and in our Town centre.
When works on roads are carried out specialist routes should be considered but bells should be compulsory as we have seen accident occur on pavements

James Robert WALSH
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Paul Andrew WHITING
(Liberal Democrat)
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?

Eddy ADAM
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Michaela Helen BANTHORPE
(Freedom Alliance)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
George Coulson GRAY
(Independent)

There school is only about five hundred yards from there home, When they are older and go to the secondary school I think that they will have to Bike there.

Kate HOPPER
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Elizabeth Rosemary MAW
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Ken ROBSON
(Independent)

Cycle training safety should be compulsory.

James Robert WALSH
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Paul Andrew WHITING
(Liberal Democrat)
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?

Eddy ADAM
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Michaela Helen BANTHORPE
(Freedom Alliance)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
George Coulson GRAY
(Independent)

Because of the Coved 19 The Cycle shops have sold more bikes than ever before. When I worked I cycled to work 3 miles there plus 3 miles home and I did this for 22 years.

Kate HOPPER
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Elizabeth Rosemary MAW
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Ken ROBSON
(Independent)

Country routes should be altered to include cycle only routes. The back road from the A167 past the Blacksmiths Arms to Darlington is especially dangerous with many blind bends.

James Robert WALSH
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Paul Andrew WHITING
(Liberal Democrat)
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?

Eddy ADAM
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Michaela Helen BANTHORPE
(Freedom Alliance)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
George Coulson GRAY
(Independent)

I informed you that in 2005 to 2008 I was involved in the cycle track from the 167road Traffic light to Saint Cuthbert's way and it ends at the round about at the Town centre, If my memory serves me right,
Where I live I see more Cyclists riding on the Path than on the road,
I also Know of the new cycle lane on the side of the 167 road from the blacksmith arms to Aycliffe village,

Kate HOPPER
(Labour Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Elizabeth Rosemary MAW
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Ken ROBSON
(Independent)

I would certainly welcome the opportunity to get involved

James Robert WALSH
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Paul Andrew WHITING
(Liberal Democrat)
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.