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?

There is a good cycle route from West Rainton along the A690 to the Belmont Park and Ride, but there is no protected space for cycling through Carrville and Belmont and Gilesgate into Durham. Such a route would also be useful for cycling to Belmont Comprehensive School. Would you be prepared to priortise this as an issue?

Since National Cycle Network routes 14 and 70 were established, there has been a diversion onto the roads between Sherburn and Low Pittington. The footpath along the old railway line from Renny's Lane to Low Pittington has never been made suitable for cycling, despite many other railway paths in the county being open for cycling. What would you do to improve this situation?

Relevant links (each opens in a new window):

• Map of location

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?