Elections

Durham County Council elections, 2021: Chester-le-Street East

Summary: Elections to Durham County Council in May 2021
Polling date: Thursday 6th May 2021
Division:
Candidates
(by surname):
  • Beaty BAINBRIDGE  (Conservative Party)
  • Neil John BRADBURY  (Liberal Democrat)
  • Derek MORSE  (Green Party)
  • Julie Anne SCURFIELD  (Labour Party)

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

Questions for Chester-le-Street East 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?

Beaty BAINBRIDGE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Neil John BRADBURY
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Derek MORSE
(Green Party)

I am a keen cyclist and being retired have the luxury of cycling for pleasure daily. Co. Durham has many good cycle ways and cycle paths alongside roads. What is lacking is safe connections between them. All too often one is obliged to take to the road and "rub shoulders" with cars etc. It is a problem that I have already highlighted in my election literature and taken up with the Council.

Julie Anne SCURFIELD
(Labour Party)

We live near the coast to coast cycle track in Chester-le-Street and for the past 20 years we have benefited greatly from having this on our doorstep. My husband and boys are all avid cyclists and I have recently purchased an e-bike so that I can also enjoy this activity. Whilst off-road cycling is pleasurable and safe, on-road is an entirely different matter. There are some dedicated cycle lanes around Chester-le-Street and I would like to see more of these as it does make on road cycling safer and more attractive. I would also like to see more cycling proficiency classes for children as well as adults being made available to support those new to biking or those who may be returning to it after some time.

# 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?

Beaty BAINBRIDGE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Neil John BRADBURY
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Derek MORSE
(Green Party)

As things are at the moment with heavy traffic in the vicinity of schools, then encouraging children to walk to school is the only safe alternative option particularly as the Council provide road crossing personnel. What is needed in the future is for a radical overhaul of road usage. Increasingly minor roads need to be designated "traffic free" and turned over to pedestrians and cyclists. Linking these up to provide safe routes to schools then becomes a possible way forward.

Julie Anne SCURFIELD
(Labour Party)

It's really encouraging that some of our schools have introduced green initiatives that encourage parents leave their car at home or park away from the school so that their children can walk, bike or scoot. There can be no doubt that increasing the numbers of children that bike, walk or scoot to school will have numerous benefits in terms of health and well-being and children's readiness to learn when they arrive at school as well as improvements in air pollution. If significant numbers engaged then the traffic build up and congestion at peak times around our schools would reduce, making this a fun and safe option for travel to school.

Calmer, quieter roads during the pandemic has shown us that this most definitely does impact on greater numbers of people willing to travel by bike. Durham County Council could encourage some continuity of this to some degree by continuing to enable staff to work from home or through other flexible working arrangements which would support parents having the time to walk and/or bike with their children to school in the morning and afternoons before and during working hours.

I will work with schools, parents and other partners to explore ways of improving the numbers of children walking or biking to school and will support the implementation of any such measures identified.

# 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?

Beaty BAINBRIDGE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Neil John BRADBURY
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Derek MORSE
(Green Party)

I am firmly of the opinion that cycling can play a significant role in tackling these issues. The Covid lockdown surge in cycling has shown that people are prepared to change. What is needed is for the Council to commit significant funds to expand the cycle route network. Durham County Council have the manpower and "road making" equipment and with the Planning Inspectors rejection of the Councils by-pass proposals then there is an ideal opportunity to switch the emphasis to creating new cycleways.

Julie Anne SCURFIELD
(Labour Party)

Cycling has a significant role to play across all three important areas of environment, sustainability and health, however it is clear the conditions, culture and environment t that will support an increase in the numbers of people choosing to cycle to school, work or for leisure purposes requires some investment. It is encouraging to note that our Labour-Led Durham County Council has a clear plan in place for tackling these issues in a staged approach which will see the improvement of safe cycling and walking networks and their maintenance. It is particularly important to ensure that these are built into planning policy and decision making which will ensure ongoing allocation of resources to make the plans a reality.

# Question 4

Over the last year a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has been prepared for Chester-le-Street 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?

Beaty BAINBRIDGE
(Conservative Party)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Neil John BRADBURY
(Liberal Democrat)
The candidate has not responded to the survey.
Derek MORSE
(Green Party)

This is the first I have heard about a LCWIP for Chester-le-Street. I find this very strange as I have been in touch with the County's Cycling unit on a number of occasions and never a word about it! Once elected I will prioritise getting hold of this plan and will most certainly work towards major improvements for both pedestrians and cyclists in Chester-le-Street.

Julie Anne SCURFIELD
(Labour Party)

Im delighted to note that Chester-le-Street has been identified as one of the first priority towns for cycling and walking infrastructure investment given its link to the Great North Cycleway and its location as a main transport corridor to other towns and cities. The implementation of the LCWIP for Chester-le-Street is something I will be taking a keen interest in if elected to represent Chester-le-Street East Ward and will work hard with all key partners and local residents, schools and businesses to support its implementation and the development of a culture in Chester-le-Street that clearly welcomes and encourages more people to walk and cycle. I also will lead by example through biking more myself.

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.