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Question 29 - we asked:

Getting from Langley Park to the cycle path along the A691 to Witton Gilbert and Durham City involves a few challenges: crossing the main road to Wallnook Lane, negotiating the barriers at Wallnook Bridge, crossing the main road at the roundabout on the A691, and the various junctions from there to Durham. What measures would you like to see implemented to improve the safety of this route and make cycling possible for more of the community?

We asked this question only in Esh and Witton Gilbert.

2 of the candidates responded as below.

Those candidate(s) which were elected are highlighted.

Ian Edward STONE
(Green Party)

For these routes, and all routes across the city, the journey from the perspective of the cyclist needs to be fully documented in terms of quality of surface, safety, waiting/delays, clarity of route signage etc., and a real collaborative effort made to address the issues that disrupt/slow the bike journey or make it potentially dangerous. It is time, also, that we had a real public campaign to show that the community is on the side of those who are young, do not possess a vehicle, or are cycling for fitness or pleasure. Rules and conventions need to be changed. A bold approach is called for, with the ambition to create a genuine cycling culture in Durham, and make it an example of practice that others want to copy.

Ryan Lee Pescod DRION
(Independent)

For a time, Wallnook Bridge was completely closed. Kaysburn Roundabout can be difficult to negotiate. From here Witton Gilbert Roundabout, then the junction which continues to be a rat run is unsafe if drivers decide last minute to turn right sometimes without indicating they are going to do so. The A691 can be an up hill struggle and then need to get over Trouts Lane. Sniperley Park and Ride Is too small and I believe to be expanded in the future. Perhaps the solution here would be increased parking for cycles and as an incentive these users could perhaps benefit from a reduction of the fare. The shared foot / cycle path is not that wide and again often cyclists prefer to use the road. There is no difference between using the A691 compared to the Lanchester Valley Walk to reach Durham for example and both exactly 4.7 miles and only 1 minute slower using the mainly traffic free route.

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.