Romsey Cycle Hub has written to the Parliamentary candidates standing in the General Election for Romsey & Southampton North. We put to them your questions about cycling in Romsey.
Your Questions
1. What percentage of the transport budget is proposed for cycling? 2. What investment is forecast and in which areas of cycling? 3. What targets have you for the amount of journeys to be taken by bike? 4. What incentives are you planning to achieve Question 3?
5. Are you for road space re-allocation/cycle paths/cycle roads or mix of these or none? 6. a) Do you think that the stretch of Southampton Rd between the rapids and Lee Lane is dangerous for cyclists? b) Have you cycled along this stretch / would you? c) Do you think it should have a cycle path during this parliament? d) If you do what will you do to help make it happen? 7. a) Do you think it is right to encourage more children to cycle to school in Romsey? b) If you do what tangible improvements do you think should be made to encourage them to do so? c) How will you help make these happen? 8. a) Do you support the addition of charging points for electric cycles in Romsey to encourage less fit people to switch to cycling for transport? b) If so what will you do to help make this happen? 9. Are you a cyclist? 10. Is there anything else you would like to do to help support cycling in Romsey? |
Their Answers
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Ian Callaghan - Green Party
"1. What percentage of the transport budget is proposed for cycling?
Green Party financial measures relating to transport are based on two principles. Firstly, transport should pay for its environmental costs through taxes and charges (the polluter pays principle). Secondly, these should be used to finance measures to support a change to more sustainable modes of transport. See also answer to Q2. 2. What investment is forecast and in which areas of cycling?
Green Party policy is to ensure that signing of pedestrian and cycling routes is given priority, with clear signs to those places that people actually wish to travel to, e.g. shops and public facilities, including public transport stops. The Green Party will encourage the development of car-free city centres, aiming to make these the norm. (Romsey should certainly be a candidate for this.) A national network of longer distance cycle routes will be encouraged, within which local networks will be connected. However, the priority in cycling provision will be for local needs. |
In residential streets, priority will be given to residents. This will go beyond the use of current speed reducing measures to more effective redesigns to increase pedestrian space and restrict vehicle carriageway, with physical features effectively limiting speed of vehicles to 10mph, while making the environment more inviting to pedestrians and cyclists, such as "Home Zones". Funding for these measures would come from funding that at present is used for road building.
As policies on reducing journeys made by motor vehicles start to take effect, the Green Party will actively seek to reallocate road space away from traffic and parking to more sustainable uses.
As policies on reducing journeys made by motor vehicles start to take effect, the Green Party will actively seek to reallocate road space away from traffic and parking to more sustainable uses.
3. What targets have you for the amount of journeys to be taken by bike?
Green Party policy is to reverse the current trend towards increasing car use and to encourage a switch to sustainable methods of transport through transport planning based on a hierarchy of modes of which walking, disabled access and cycling are the top three. We have not currently set specific targets for the proportion of journeys by bicycle, but we recognise that the general shift away from walking and cycling to less sustainable methods of transport needs to be reversed and the aim of its transport policies is to make it possible for walking and cycling to account for most short distance journeys made.
4. What incentives are you planning to achieve Q3?
The Green Party recognises that the keys to promoting the use of bicycles are: reducing the need to travel long distances for work, leisure and shopping, and improving road conditions to make them safe, convenient and comfortable to cycle on, including reallocating road space.
The Party would alter funding of transport to the polluter pays principle, using charges and taxes on transport to support the development of sustainable methods of transport, and make a requirement that developers must show how their development can be fully accessed by more sustainable modes.
In rural areas, apart from trunk roads, the maximum speed limit would be 40m.p.h. Local communities would be encouraged to set lower limits on country lanes where pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders would be particularly vulnerable. They would also be encouraged to designate green lanes where these modes would have priority, and where feasible, to close lanes that act as through routes to allow only for these modes plus local access.
All public transport providers will be obliged to fully consult with and provide for cyclists, both on their vehicles (train, ferry, bus, light rail/tram, etc.) and at all the boarding and termination points where they run along fixed routes.
All large employers and organisations that are publicly accessible must provide for cyclists to be able to leave their bicycles and belongings in safe, secure dry surroundings. For clusters of small shops or workshops, the local authority or estate owner must make such provision. This should also apply to council and private housing. Provision for cycle storage should be made in all new developments.
The Green Party will encourage all other initiatives that may encourage a change of mode to cycling, for example alterations to allowances paid by employers to their employees for their necessary travel, and government tax relief for work related cycling, on a scale no less generous than car allowances.
5. Are you for road space re-allocation/cycle paths/cycle roads or mix of these or none?
The shared use of pedestrian space with cyclists is recognised as a source of nuisance and conflict to pedestrians. Green Party policy is to reduce these conflicts through measures to make roads safe for cyclists. Where proposals are made for shared use, all other measures will have to be first studied to ensure that there are no other ways of making safe cycling. There will be a hierarchy of measures to create this provision. The primary objective of these will be reducing speeds and volume of motorised traffic. Where this cannot achieve a safe cycling environment, various forms of segregation from vehicles will be implemented, including routes completely away from the road system. Loss of road space from other vehicles to accommodate cyclists will be seen as preferable to loss of footway space from pedestrians. Where the cycle infrastructure is shared with pedestrians or horse riders, or where the cycle provision on roads is shared with bus priority measures, adequate space must be provided for the two users to share it safely. Where cycle routes are provided which give some form of segregation from other road users, the cycle route will be given priority at junctions over motorised traffic.
6. a) Do you think that the stretch of Southampton Rd between the rapids and Lee Lane is dangerous for cyclists?
As dangerous as any stretch of road where vehicle traffic can attain high speeds. This stretch is also congested at rush hours
b) Have you cycled along this stretch / would you?
No/yes (I live the other side of Romsey)
c) Do you think it should have a cycle path during this parliament?
Yes. There is probably a case for putting the track on the verge for most of the way, given that the road may not be wide enough for a proper width cycle lane in both directions. Here, it should be separated from the pedestrian footway.
d) If you do what will you do to help make it happen?
Work with local cycle groups to approach the right authorities
7. a) Do you think it is right to encourage more children to cycle to school in Romsey?
Generally speaking, yes. Safe routes to schools would be given the highest priority by the Green Party, so that most children are able to walk or cycle to school. We note however, the very carful planning of facilities and measures that are needed to make routes truly safe.
b) If you do what tangible improvements do you think should be made to encourage them to do so?
Children and parents must be involved in the process of deciding what transport provision the school needs. Children must be educated about the issues of transport's impact on the environment and society so that they can make informed choices. Training for children in all practices relating to cycle use, e.g. riding and maintenance, will become an integral part of the education system, and will be supported by the provision of safe places for children to learn to cycle. Provision for the training of adults will also be supported and must be an important element in promoting cycling in the short term whilst road conditions are particularly hostile to cyclists.
c) How will you help make these happen?
Working with local cycling groups and school management and governors and then lobbying the local authority to improve cycling facilities on routes around schools.
8. a) Do you support the addition of charging points for electric cycles in Romsey to encourage less fit people to switch to cycling for transport?
Yes
b) If so what will you do to help make this happen?
Lobby the relevant authorities
9. Are you a cyclist?
Yes. I was also on the Board of the London Cycling Campaign from 2003-2009, as Chair from 2006-2009. During this period, cycling in London doubled, so I have some experience of cycle planning and politics.
10. Is there anything else you would like to do to help support cycling in Romsey?
All of the above, and as mentioned, the town centre could quite easily be car free"
Caroline Nokes - Conservative Party
"Thank you for contacting me about cycling. The number of people choosing to get about by bike has grown over recent years and, following the success of our Rio Olympians, and I passionately want to see this trend continue.
Government investment in cycling has tripled since 2010. My colleagues at the Department for Transport are spending £300 million on cycling funding and a further £500 million for infrastructure in local communities, which will include benefits for cyclists. The £300 million funding includes delivering the £114 million Cycle City Ambition scheme in full, a new 'access' fund for sustainable travel and providing 1.3 million children with cycling proficiency training through funding for the Bikeability scheme. When I worked as a PPS at the Department for Transport, I regularly raised the importance of cycling and was delighted at the positive response I received from Government. |
Ministers are also looking to local authorities as partners to deliver on cycle infrastructure in local communities across England. There is long-term funding available to both local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), which could be used on cycling through the Integrated Transport block, Highways Maintenance block, and the new 'access' fund; and billions of long-term local transport funding available through the Local Growth Fund.
I am pleased that LEPs, which are responsible for prioritising the use of Local Growth Fund allocations within their area, are showing that they understand the value and benefits of cycling, with around £280 million of the Local Growth Fund currently being allocated to cycling projects.
Locally, Test Valley Borough Council were one of the first councils to use Section 106 agreements to improving cycle provision in and near new developments. This generates new investment in cycling facilities and we have seen a large increase in the amount of cyclists on the road. I regularly discuss local cycling issues with Test Valley Borough Council and raised the concerns of parents about unsafe roads.
You will, of course, know that we have corresponded about this particular route several times and I have forwarded the information to you from Viv Messenger at TVBC. Of course the stretch of road from the Rapids to Lee Lane is incredibly busy, the footpath is not adequate for dual use as a cycle way, and no I certainly wouldn't want to cycle along that part of Southampton Road. I will admit to not being much of a cyclist, but my daughter has been, and like any parent I used to worry about the interaction between vehicles and her on her bike. I don't think this is the only stretch of concern however, and the A3057 between the end of the cycle path in Timsbury and Romsey is horrific for cyclists. As you will know the completion of the cycle path from Stockbridge to Romsey is also on the agenda for the Borough Council.
Inevitably use of S106 monies relies on a) there being new housing development and b) there being sufficient funds to use for a wide variety of projects including the provision of other types of leisure facility.
I would be delighted to organise a summit with the council and your organisation to discuss local cycling policy.I believe that by getting local stakeholders together, we can coordinate a cycling strategy for the area which encourages people of all ages and abilities to cycle safely in their communities.."
Don Jerrard - Justice & Anti-Corruption Party
"You can be assured that the subject of cycling is very important to me. As you may know I was a candidate in last year’s Police & Crime Commissioner Election in Hampshire and I was one of only two of the 7 candidates who attended the Portsmouth Cycling Forum when invited to do so because of the problems of cycling in Portsmouth. The death rate for cyclists in Portsmouth is second only to that in London in this country.
I also have a strong personal interest for two reasons. Firstly cycling is very popular in and around Liss and Liphook near where I live and has been for many years. A lot of my friends are involved, not me because I have a dodgy knee from my very unsuccessful football days, but it is the talk of the pub most days. Secondly my younger son cycles from Warsash to work in Southampton and back every day so I fear for his safety. |
I don’t think it particularly helps for me to answer your specific questions with my limited knowledge at the moment. I have lived in East Hampshire for nearly 30 years and one of the huge personal advantages to me if I win the election is that my wife will agree to us down-sizing now and moving back to where I came from and even being able to cycle to watch the Saints, if I did not have the dodgy knee. I used to walk to the Dell from our home in Bassett Green but now it will have to be car or the bus.
What I can promise is that cycling really is a very high priority for me as I think it should be for anyone concerned with the problems (or opportunities) that affect cyclists which is health and traffic safety. I hope my style has always been to listen a lot, think a lot and say comparatively little but try and get results where they are most needed. If I win you can be assured that I will talk to those involved in cycling, listen to what is said and try and help.
I hope you will follow my campaign with interest. I believe that the best thing for the constituency at present is to have a candidate dedicated to a particular cause and to deal with local issues, rather than a career politician. The JAC Party website is www.jacparty.org.uk which we are struggling to keep up to date. That is because the man who manages it for us is one of the local keen cyclists whom I mentioned, with the disadvantage of having 4 daughters of school or university age who keep taking him out when he is meant to be loading the info onto the site!
Please feel free to call on 07969 891638 if you would like to discuss anything."
What I can promise is that cycling really is a very high priority for me as I think it should be for anyone concerned with the problems (or opportunities) that affect cyclists which is health and traffic safety. I hope my style has always been to listen a lot, think a lot and say comparatively little but try and get results where they are most needed. If I win you can be assured that I will talk to those involved in cycling, listen to what is said and try and help.
I hope you will follow my campaign with interest. I believe that the best thing for the constituency at present is to have a candidate dedicated to a particular cause and to deal with local issues, rather than a career politician. The JAC Party website is www.jacparty.org.uk which we are struggling to keep up to date. That is because the man who manages it for us is one of the local keen cyclists whom I mentioned, with the disadvantage of having 4 daughters of school or university age who keep taking him out when he is meant to be loading the info onto the site!
Please feel free to call on 07969 891638 if you would like to discuss anything."
Darren Paffey - Labour Party
Labour will reset the UK’s road safety vision and ambitiously strive for a transport network with zero deaths, including zero cyclist deaths, reintroducing important road-safety targets, and setting out bold measures that will continuously improve safety standards. Our plans will encourage and enable people to get out of their cars, for better health and a cleaner environment.
A Labour government will invite the National Infrastructure Commission to recommend the next stages for developing and upgrading the National Cycle Network. We reaffirm the commitments in the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. |
It’s right to encourage more children to cycle to school in Romsey, as and where there are safe routes that young people and parents are confident using. In the same way, I would seek to encourage local businesses to get their employees on bikes for the journeys to and from work, where practical. Ideas around cycle paths could go some way to encouraging more residents to do this, and it would be important for me to work with the local authority, schools, and groups like yours to ensure the design of any improvements is suitable.
Yes I’m a cyclist - sometimes a bit of a fair-weather one, but my journey to work is usually quicker and less stressful when on my bike rather than in the car.
Yes I’m a cyclist - sometimes a bit of a fair-weather one, but my journey to work is usually quicker and less stressful when on my bike rather than in the car.
I am in favour of road space re-allocation, cycle paths, cycle roads or mixes of these as local authorities see appropriate, as it’s crucial to facilitate safe bike riding if we are to encourage people to get out of their cars and get on their bikes. I recently rode a bike around Amsterdam, and the experience was a very different one to riding in the UK! That culture of cycles having priority and a safe network of cycle paths and shared-use paths was inspiring.
Catherine Royce - Liberal Democrats
"While I would like to be able to respond personally to you, we are receiving a large volume of emails at the moment and I regret that it is impossible to engage fully with the questions posed. I hope you will understand that in a very short General Election period I am extremely busy campaigning and meeting residents in the constituency and we do not have the resources to deal with the number of emails and questions we are receiving.
People have been in touch on a varied and interesting range of topics which I know concern them greatly. I think it would be most useful if I referred you to the manifesto page of the Liberal Democrat national website:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/manifesto
Here you can see our intent on many of the topics raised; topics that do indeed impinge on our lives.
Some issues are extremely complicated and without the time to consider them very carefully signing a pledge could lead to misunderstandings on both sides".
People have been in touch on a varied and interesting range of topics which I know concern them greatly. I think it would be most useful if I referred you to the manifesto page of the Liberal Democrat national website:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/manifesto
Here you can see our intent on many of the topics raised; topics that do indeed impinge on our lives.
Some issues are extremely complicated and without the time to consider them very carefully signing a pledge could lead to misunderstandings on both sides".