Elections
Durham County Council elections, 2021: Brandon
| 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 Brandon division candidates (5 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…
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Grandchildren cycle frequently. They day biggest hazard is lack of street lights at night. |
| David Farnell CRABTREE (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Ethan Lewis DODDS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jonathan ELMER (Green Party) |
Myself and my daughter cycle to get to educational and work commitments all around the City and for me it is my main mode of transport. I rarely cycle for leisure purposes. The main barrier is cars driving dangerously and a lack of cycling infrastructure that enable a greater degree of segregation from cars. There are simply too many cars on our roads as we haven't constructed sufficient provision for public and active transport. |
| Priscilla Anne Bowen ELMER (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Geoff MOORE (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Carolyn SMITH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Paul TAYLOR (Labour 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…
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Identified cycle lanes in our villages and especially near schools for safety. No parking of cars should be allowed near schools. We're lucky that most schools now have 20mph zones. |
| David Farnell CRABTREE (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Ethan Lewis DODDS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jonathan ELMER (Green Party) |
This is only going to be adopted by the majority of students if cycling becomes safe and at the moment its not. Infrastructure is again the solution. |
| Priscilla Anne Bowen ELMER (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Geoff MOORE (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Carolyn SMITH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Paul TAYLOR (Labour 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…
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Agree with all of above. Cycle routes are imperative. DCC have started process of cycle routes in some areas. |
| David Farnell CRABTREE (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Ethan Lewis DODDS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jonathan ELMER (Green Party) |
Transport makes up a significant proportion of carbon emissions and a move to mass public and active transport could very significantly reduce emissions. Durham County Council has a major role to play and don't at present appear to have appreciated the change they could make. They could: |
| Priscilla Anne Bowen ELMER (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Geoff MOORE (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Carolyn SMITH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Paul TAYLOR (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 4
Air and noise pollution from traffic is a problem in urban areas throughout the County. What actions would you propose to help reduce this pollution, which is a known risk to health and wellbeing? Would you, for example, support a Car Free Day once a month promoted by Durham County Council and major employers who would encourage employees to walk, cycle, or use the bus to travel to work?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Excellent idea. Car free days work well in some European countries. |
| David Farnell CRABTREE (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Ethan Lewis DODDS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jonathan ELMER (Green Party) |
- Support a car free day |
| Priscilla Anne Bowen ELMER (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Geoff MOORE (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Carolyn SMITH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Paul TAYLOR (Labour Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 5
The Brandon railway path is a great asset, but it does not meet its full potential because there is no safe cycling connection to Durham City. A more direct link from Langley Moor is needed, and there is no cycling provision on Neville's Cross Bank or Lowes Barn Bank. What would you do to connect Brandon, Meadowfield and Langley Moor to the network in Durham City to enable more people to cycle?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Needs some thought |
| David Farnell CRABTREE (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Ethan Lewis DODDS (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jonathan ELMER (Green Party) |
- My strategic goal is to maintain pressure on the Council to produce a Integrated Transport Network Plan to map ideal infrastructure for walkers, cyclists and drivers and act as a guide so that as opportunities for network creation arise, these can be guided by a joined up plan. This would include better connectivity from the Brandon Cycleway to Durham City. I intend to challenge the Council over these matters when elected. Sorry my responses have been rushed - unfortunately this is an extremely busy time. |
| Priscilla Anne Bowen ELMER (Green Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Geoff MOORE (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Carolyn SMITH (Independent) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Paul TAYLOR (Labour 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.