Cycle Harrogate is not aligned to any political party. However we do want to know what the various political parties plan to do about promoting cycling in the Harrogate area as there is both a County Council Election and a Tour De France coming up.
My views on the current performance of North Yorkshire County Council with regard to cycling are a matter of record. I don't think they are doing enough to promote cycling as a sustainable transport choice, I don't think they are even meeting their own stated objectives and I don't think they are meeting national guidance. In fairness to them they work for elected councillors who are voted for by people like me and you. If we don't have elected officials championing cycling why should council officers?
So if any prospective councillors or representatives of political parties would like to answer any of these following questions I will happily publish their responses and won't add my own commentary to them. At least not until after the elections. In that way if you care about cycling and want a County Councillor that does too, we all have an opportunity to know what they think and plan to do if elected.
A version of these questions I asked the County Council recently. As sometimes happens we got no meaningful response.
Update 5/4/2013
We have had our first responses from Don Mackenzie incumbent conservative councillor for Saltergate Division.Don's responses are in blue
Update 6/4/2013
Jim Clark incumbent for Rossett Ward has sent his responses which are in a different blue and shown second.
1. How as a councillor would you monitor how the County Council is currently spending the Local Sustainable Transport Fund monies provided by central government and how would your interventions benefit sustainable transport in Harrogate?
"As an active member of the NYCC Harrogate Area Committee and of the Transport Scrutiny Committee I have been fully supportive of sustainable transport initiatives."
"I am an active member of the NYCC Harrogate Area Committee and I am fully supportive of sustainable transport initiatives and actively promote cycling in my division."
2. How as a councillor would you make sure that the County Council is working with local cycling groups and other interested parties to help make 2014's tour de France a huge success? Further how would you help guarantee a tour legacy now that central government has pledged £10 million to Yorkshire for Tour delivery?
"Bringing The Tour de France to North Yorkshire, and Harrogate in particular, is great news for cycling, in a town which has a rich heritage in that activity. I will play my part in ensuring that this success raises the profile of cycling even further in the borough, and that the legacy will not be lost as soon as the cyclists depart."
"The input of local groups such as Cycle Harrogate is valuable to the council and even more so at this exciting time as we start preparing for the Tour de France in Harrogate. The potential legacy from this event is something we must seize upon, especially with the help of £10 million from the Government."
3. In light of recent research finding Skipton Road to be one of the most congested roads in the country outside of London. How would you work to reduce congestion by encouraging modal shift as current transport policies that favour car use by default, appear to be failing?
"Skipton Road west of New Park roundabout is in my division. I know only too well from residents that congestion, especially at peak times, is already bad. Now more houses are proposed for the area. Certainly, a sustainable transport plan must accompany any large-scale housing development. I have played my own part in ensuring that those who wish to cycle have better facilities in which to do so. As Harrogate's Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport (2007-2010) I introduced cycling on the Stray on six dedicated dual-use paths - in the face of much opposition - and served for all those years on the working party for the Bilton - Ripley cyclepath (now the Nidderdale Greenway)."
"There are similar congestion problems on many of our main roads, including Otley Road, part of which is in my division. It is clear that sustainable transport will have a major part to play in resolving congestion problems. People need to be encouraged, wherever possible, to consider walking, cycling and using public transport before they get in their car. Having contributed to the work on the Nidderdale Greenway and promoting sustainable transport in schools, I am aware there are many things we as councillors can do to help the cycling lobby work towards this modal shift."
4. How as a councillor would you work to fulfil national obligations to promote cycling and walking as specified in recent NICE guidelines These guidelines cite these activities as ways of improving public health and call on councils to actively work to get more people engaging in these activities.
"I will ensure that the needs of cyclists are borne in mind when any decisions on transport-related matters are taken. Public Health is now a function of the County Council (since this week) and our Director of Public Health will no doubt be mindful of the benefits to public wellbeing of cycling. I am currently the Chairman of the NYCC Care and Independence Scrutiny Committee, and my committee is well aware of the importance of healthy lifestyles to the general public."
"The NICE guidelines are clear and I am sure that, now Public Health is a function of the County Council, the Director of Public Health will be considering how they relate to the work the council does. As Chairman of the Scrutiny of Health Committee I will be working closely with the Director of Public Health and will ensure this matter is firmly on the council’s agenda."
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