Elections
« Back to list of all 39 questions for this election
Question 3 - we asked:
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?
We asked this question in these 36 divisions: , , , , , , Aycliffe East, Aycliffe North and Middridge, Aycliffe West, Barnard Castle East, Barnard Castle West, Belmont, Brandon, Chester-le-Street East, Chester-le-Street North, Chester-le-Street South, Chester-le-Street West Central, Coxhoe, Crook, Dawdon, Deerness, Durham South, Elvet and Gilesgate, Esh and Witton Gilbert, Ferryhill, Framwellgate and Newton Hall, Lanchester, Neville's Cross, North Lodge, Seaham, Sherburn, Spennymoor, Stanley, Trimdon and Thornley, Tudhoe, Willington and Hunwick.
35 of the candidates responded as below.
Those candidate(s) which were elected are highlighted.
| Michael Drummond Moverley SMITH (Conservative Party) |
I support the greater use of cycling for education, work and leisure. It should be noted a sizable number of students and workers already use either public transport or walk to get to college, school or work. |
| Joshua WOOLLER (Conservative Party) |
Dedicates cycle routes, lower speed limits around estates, as well as the reopening of Belmont’s Viaduct to cyclists all offer avenues to boost uptake of non-motor travel. It is important the County Council seriously consider these options, as fighting Global Warming will invariably require less of us to drive when we can otherwise cycle. |
| 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: |
| Roger Michael MCADAM (Green Party) |
Improving health and making the environment fresher and brighter must be given the highest priority. |
| 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. |
| Alan OSTLE (Green Party) |
Investing in cycling is good for people and good for the planet. I have outlined above some physical improvements that could be made to encourage cycling. Promoting cycling needs community involvement so that changes are seen to benefit people locally and to take into account health, education, early years support, employment, mobility and environmental improvement. |
| Irene OSTLE (Green Party) |
Cycling can play a very important part in helping to tackle our climate crisis. Cyclists cause little pollution or Co2 emissions. Durham County Council should increase investment in cycleway infrastructure. |
| Ian Edward STONE (Green Party) |
There is no alternative here: authorities have to move away from giving priority to cars etc. We need to move much further in prioritising public transport, walking and cycling over cars, which will itself help in re-setting the balance, by encouraging people at the margin to switch away from cars. Car parking provision (and charges) in the centre, e-bike stations using hire models and priority access arrangements are all examples of action to achieve this, and constructive collaboration will be important to the process. The Netherlands is a model for such interaction with local businesses - why aren't we learning from best practice? |
| Ryan Lee Pescod DRION (Independent) |
Durham County Council have already put measure in place such as on Rotary Way and along Pity Me and Framwellgate Front Street. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen these in use by cyclists. There is already a number of shared foot / cycle routes though often cyclists don't use these and instead continue to the use the road. Roads had become quieter with most who could working from home. The County Durham Plan though adopted is missing two vital relief roads that would have enabled Durham County Council to divert the A690 and A691 out of the city centre and enabling better management of the main roads. This could have been a combination of bus and cycle lanes. A additional Park and Ride at Stonebridge would have been close to Broom Park Picnic Area and where three cycling and walking routes converge. Business and for that matter customers using these in the city centre have no safe and secure place for their bikes. Theft and often vandalism puts people off using this method of transport. What is also to be considered is that The Passport Office, National Savings and soon to be finished new County Hall do have secure cycling but maybe only used by a small number of people who live close by. |
| Michael GOULDING (Independent) |
Cycling for leisure and exercise is one thing I am fully in favour of. But the modern world means that many people have to travel long distances to their place of employment. Whether it can be realistically done by bike is dependent on many factors - distance, time, danger etc, but also the facilities available at the place of work - do they have secure spaces for bikes, do they have showers so you can clean up after your journey etc. There's no easy, single solution for any of it. |
| George Coulson GRAY (Independent) |
Because of the Coved 19 The Cycle shops have sold more bikes than ever before. When I worked I cycled to work 3 miles there plus 3 miles home and I did this for 22 years. |
| John Douglas MOORE (Independent) |
I would agree that cycling would play a significant part in tackling the issues detailed above. |
| Ken ROBSON (Independent) |
Country routes should be altered to include cycle only routes. The back road from the A167 past the Blacksmiths Arms to Darlington is especially dangerous with many blind bends. |
| David SMITH (Independent) |
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. |
| Karon WILLIS (Independent) |
I believe cycling can play a role in tackling these issues, however now due to the varied after school clubs and time lines that parents have to have their children there by impacts greatly on more car use than cycling. I have seen more families participating in family bike rides during the Covid 19 lockdown and as I live near some of the main cycle routes these are used frequently, my thoughts are that DCC will have to review the all the roads to see where safe cycling could be applied. |
| Chris VARTY (Labour & Co-operative) |
Obviously cycling has always proved to be a powerful key to health improvement, but the young especially can help lead the way in the in climate emergency by getting on their bikes, and taking along some of their family with them and this can usually be grandparents. I am aware that DCC is well ahead than many other parts of the country with climate control initiatives and looking forward at what can be done to invest these ideas with families and if l am elected l would be delighted to take this further. |
| Rebecca ASHBY (Labour Party) |
The central government funding pot seemed to receive a public backlash for how the money was used. Dedicated cycle routes would be a preferred option rather than bringing cyclists off and onto roads with paint markings, some of which are at incredibly dangerous points. Is there a map of current cycle routes? Can cyclists input their preferred future routes somewhere and we need to plan cycle routes from new housing development to places of work. Cyclists should have priority at junctions and roundabouts. The message needs to be that every car journey not made and cycle journey made instead is a contribution to saving the planet. |
| Victoria Rose ASHFIELD (Labour Party) |
It is clear that cycling can address all these issues and it was encouraging to see so many more cyclists on the roads during the first lockdown but there were far fewer cars and we couls all feel safer. Off road specific cycles tracks, for example exploiting the many former railways which do have an extensive coverage of the county make much more sense than trying to partition existing motor traffic roads. |
| Karan Elizabeth BATEY (Labour Party) |
Hire bikes organise bike rides safer bike routes |
| Anne BONNER (Labour Party) |
Agree with all of above. Cycle routes are imperative. DCC have started process of cycle routes in some areas. |
| Omide DEINALI (Labour Party) |
Investment would be better spent on electricfying public transport across the county. |
| Christine Anne FLETCHER (Labour Party) |
See my answer above. I think it should be cross generational. Work with the children and get them cycling. Provide access to affordable bicycles. Cycle lanes. Cycle routes. Positive cycling messages. |
| Brian Andrew FREEMAN (Labour Party) |
Of course, cycling would be a very positive means of improving the environment and in increasing people’s mental, social and physical well being. All of the Labour Candidates for Durham County Council standing in the City of Durham Divisions and elsewhere are committed to making County Durham green and fighting climate change. We know cycling can play a large part in reaching these goals and we will continue to explore means of providing viable, safe bike paths and lanes. |
| Ben GRAHAM (Labour Party) |
Encouraging more people to cycle will be a massive help in combatting the above issues, most effectively on climate change and tackling the health crisis. DCC can promote this with more safe and secure areas to leave bikes, promoting cycle to work/school schemes, creating cycle only routes, and doing more to promote cycle proficiency, particularly among adults. It would also help to outline efficient, low traffic routes that can act as arteries for cyclists - whether that is using disused rail tracks (like the lines in Brandon) or along the river to FMNH, where cyclists can travel easily without having to use congested or busier roads. |
| David Wilson HARDAKER (Labour Party) |
It can help , more cycle lanes needed |
| John HARDMAN (Labour Party) |
Investment in green solutions to travel is essential going forward for our communities, and cycling could play a big role. Cycle hire points in the city and park and ride areas could encourage shorter distance cycling in built up areas, with infrastructure set up to encourage and accommodate such a scheme. If initially successful, more frequent points could be established, with the potential for not just environmentally friendly travel, but also advertising opportunities for local businesses. |
| Jed HILLARY (Labour Party) |
I believe cycling can play a big part in this, so long as infrastructure investment matches the ambition. |
| Dave HYNES (Labour Party) |
Cycling can play a large part in these issues but needs a whole cultural and structural change both in local area and country. It would be wonderful if Durham County Council were given the resources to look into this matter further. |
| Kester NOBLE (Labour Party) |
I do think that people should cycle on short journeys if the routes are safe. I do not think cycling is affordable as the cost of the bikes has had a significant increase in price. Schemes to make cycling affordable in allowing access to work place for the long term unemployed should be encouraged. If children were not given access to electric scooters and electronic gadgets that avoid physical exercise the world would have a fitter and healthier youth. |
| 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. |
| Julie Michelle STIRK (Labour Party) |
Cycling could play a very big role in these issues. I feel providing cycle only lanes and lockable cycle sheds would be one way to help achieve this |
| David TONER (Labour Party) |
I agree that cycling and walking are very important to both physical and mental health, and if elected I will do everything in my power to protect the fantastic cycle routes in our area that are threatened by the Conservative MP's proposals. Both myself and my fellow Labour candidate Alison Grey have pledged our support to protect our green spaces and expand on our cycle and walking routes. |
| Liz BROWN (Liberal Democrat) |
Again there are other sustainable alternatives to cycling. There needs to be a carrot and stick approach |
| Michael WATSON (Liberal Democrat) |
I am chairman of two environmental groups, the Friends of Kepier Woods and Durham Road Block. I helped lead a successful campaign against two proposed relief roads that would have destroyed swathes of woodland in four local woodlands, disturbed wild life and destroyed social history. I helped organise a productive working party who worked with a County Councillor to look at the various issues around Durham and the villages regarding cycle journeys and the positive impact of increased cycle use on our local and world environment. The Friends of Kepier Woods group are now campaigning to reopen the Belmont Viaduct as a cycle route and footpath. We are lobbying Durham County Council to access central government Northern Transport funding to pay for repairs to the Viaduct and the infrastructure needed. If I am elected as County Councillor then I would continue this work. Reopening the Viaduct will help drive down carbon emissions as residents living in the communities both sides of the Viaduct have told me that they would commute to work by bicycle or even jog. The reopening the Viaduct would offer a safe route to commute to new employment opportunities. Government has large funding opportunities available for new footpaths or cycle ways to be introduced or existing ones to be repaired. I would urge Durham County Council to access these funds. Cycling plays a huge role in tackling the climate emergency, the more residents in County Durham that cycle the better, this would lead to reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicles. I feel education in schools or a local authority campaign to encourage bike use are crucial to our future environment, not only in our locality but internationally too. |
| Robert ARTHUR (Seaham Community Party) |
Cycling a huge benefit for health, fitness, wellbeing and socialising. Crystal gazing more new routes with improved signage, a large investment programme required, depends on priorities. |
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.