Elections
Durham County Council elections, 2021: Trimdon and Thornley
| Summary: | Elections to Durham County Council in May 2021 |
| Polling date: | Thursday 6th May 2021 |
| Division: |
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| Candidates (by surname): |
Candidates who have not yet responded are welcome to contact us with their replies to the questions for us to publish. |
Questions for Trimdon and Thornley division candidates (4 questions)
# Question 1
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?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Gemma Louise ABLEY (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Kenneth George GRAINGER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Lucy HOVVELS (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jake MILLER (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Dave SMITH (For Britain Movement) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Chris VARTY (Labour & Co-operative) |
I have a bicycle mainly used for leisure or a quick pop to the shops. The main problem is we are part of a rural area and many of the roads do not lend themselves to family or group riding and the also are not wide enough for bicycle lanes. The costs to change these would be huge so it would be changing the riding habits and drivers awareness. |
| William WALKER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 2
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?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Gemma Louise ABLEY (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Kenneth George GRAINGER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Lucy HOVVELS (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jake MILLER (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Dave SMITH (For Britain Movement) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Chris VARTY (Labour & Co-operative) |
I think perhaps a trial during the spring/summer terms may be a way to test, but that would also have to include observation of traffic speeds for keeping to those speeds in the relevant areas. |
| William WALKER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 3
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?
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Gemma Louise ABLEY (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Kenneth George GRAINGER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Lucy HOVVELS (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jake MILLER (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Dave SMITH (For Britain Movement) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| 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. |
| William WALKER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
# Question 4
Trimdon, Trimdon Colliery, Thornley, Wingate and Wheatley Hill are all within reasonable cycling distance of each other, but at present anyone cycling between them has to venture onto national speed limit roads with no safe cycling provision. What solutions would you prioritise to enable people to cycle more in the area?
Options could include:
* a good shared-use path on the A181
* closing some of the back lanes to through motor traffic to provide quiet connections for walkers and cyclists
* improving footpaths and bridleways such as Green Lane
Responses to this question from all divisions…
| Gemma Louise ABLEY (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Kenneth George GRAINGER (Liberal Democrat) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Lucy HOVVELS (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Jake MILLER (Labour & Co-operative) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Dave SMITH (For Britain Movement) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
| Chris VARTY (Labour & Co-operative) |
I agree things can get a bit hairy on some of the National speed limit roads, l would be delighted to look at all the options and talk with those people from all the relevant organisations to come to the most positive conclusion. |
| William WALKER (Conservative Party) |
The candidate has not responded to the survey. |
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.