Elections

I regularly cycle for exercise. From October 2020 my cycling has been restricted to indoor use on a trainer as its more comfortable and safer. The main barriers which prevent more people from cycling in our area are the weather, which we can’t do much about, and the way in which cyclists and other users of dedicated routes, such as the Lanchester Valley Way, are made secondary to road users whenever these walks meet road traffic.

The majority of children I see walk to school. I would prefer for children to walk to school as I think this is a safer and more sociable option. Walking to school in groups where they can chat to each other helps children develop valuable social skills.

I think that cycling could have a significant role to play in improving people’s health, not just mobile bikes as it cold also include the provision of exercise bikes at surgeries and local health centres.
An easy way for Durham County Council to help deliver safer, complete cycling routes wold be to install crossings with lights where these routes cross minor roads. At present cyclists and walkers have to wait until the roads are clear which can mean a considerable wait.
The installation of crossings with lights would show that Durham County Council is serious about providing complete cycle routes rather than just sections broken by giving preference to road traffic.
It would also show that DCC is serious about improving safety for cyclists and other users along these routes.

A number of small business located along Front Street, Lanchester rely upon a steady flow of customers having easy access to their premises for short term visits. It is also an important bus route through the village. I don’t believe that allocating defined space for cycling on Front Street is in the best interests of all parties.
For cyclists wishing to travel through Lanchester the safest way would be for them to use the Lanchester Valley Walk route.
For cyclists wishing to use facilities within the village a safer method would be to install secure cycle parking, at the south eastern edge of the village this could be located near the children’s play area, at the north eastern edge of the village this could be located close to the car park off Newbiggen Lane or beside the community centre.