Elections

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?

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?

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?

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?

The Great North Cycleway (GNC) is used by both commuters and leisure cyclists and is a cycle route on a shared use path alongside the A167. Unfortunately there are no links to neighbouring settlements, for example: Great Lumley, Bournmoor, Fencehouses, Woodstone Village and West Rainton. The B1284 is busy and has a 60mph limit with some narrow stretches and blind bends which creates hazards for cyclists yet could be an ideal link between the GCN, Chester le Street and these settlements. Would you support a proposal to create a shared use path or cycle lane along this road to enable people to cycle safely and thereby provide a viable alternative to car travel between these settlements?