Bargate ward
| Summary: | Elections to Southampton City Council in May 2018 |
| Polling date: | Thursday 3rd May 2018 |
| Ward: |
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| Candidates (by surname): |
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Questions for Bargate ward candidates (6 questions)
Question 1
If elected will you sign up to the Space for Cycling campaign?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | I am happy to sign up to the space for cycling campaign |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | If elected to Southampton City Council I would be more than happy to push for the planning and ideas within the Space for Cycling guidance. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | I have over ten years experience working within the cycle industry, I am well aware of the issues facing cyclists. If I were elected I would indeed sign up to the Space for Cycling campaign and I will work with my Liberal Democrat colleagues to develop viable ways to deliver on this commitment. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |
Question 2
Are you in favour of removing road space for cars and using this for safe segregated cycle superhighways similar to London?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | Yes where practicable – needs significant funding (we have secured some already with new cycle routes planned) |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | Creating stepped cycle paths are becoming more prevalent in cities and is good for getting cyclist out pedaling. I want to take more cars off the road by encouraging Park & Ride schemes, there should be more space for cyclists on our roads. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | Southampton already has above average rates of cycling (although other cities are well ahead of us), despite a lack of serious investment in infrastructure to ensure safety and encourage more people to take up cycling.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to towns and cities that are designed to be safe and attractive walking spaces and implementing the recommendations of the Get Britain Cycling report. Segregated cycleways are clearly the safest way to deliver this, but they are not always practicable on the routes where we need them. We are committed to developing a comprehensive cycle network scheme that connects the key population, working and recreation centres safely and properly funding that scheme. We will require all future proposals for road developments to demonstrate how they will contribute to our city-wide cycling plans, prioritising options for segregation, while considering the wider environmental and economic impact of all options so we choose the best way forward for all road users. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |
Question 3
Are you in favour of lowering speed limits to 20mph in some residential areas to make it safer for people to walk and cycle?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | In principle yes but would need to see the evidence first. |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | 20mph speed limiting is good for communities in residential areas. It gives drivers more time to take action in an emergency situation and cyclists can relax more on those narrow roads. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | We will introduce 20mph zones in residential areas across the city where residents want this, and we would proactively encourage this in areas near schools, nurseries and parks. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |
Question 4
If elected what would you do to encourage cycling in Southampton?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | Support new cycle routes and initiatives that incentivise cycling eg school travel plans, employer schemes. Main issue for me is safety for all on our roads with a need also to encourage more walking. |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | As a part time cyclist I already encourage cyclists to ride in the city. I participated in the recent memorial ride organised by Soton Cycling Campaign and the local Green Party. It would be advantageous to be an elected Councilor and vote for things like funding and planning. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | The Liberal Democrats will deliver on our plans to improve cycling infrastructure, though our revised budget that adds £1m of extra capital expenditure for cycling and incorporating cycling and public transport considerations into the city-wide and local area development, transport and housing plans. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |
Question 5
If elected would you be in favour of allocating 10% of the local transport budget to cycling?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | I’m not sure on this one – I would need to look at the implications. |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | I believe that 10% of the transport budget already is taken up by cycling related spending within Southampton. It might not be the amount of money being spent but the way the money is spent that will give cyclists the best hope for the future. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | In our alternative budget, presented to Council in February 2018, we committed £1m of Council capital expenditure to building new or improving existing cycleways across Southampton, and reprioritise pothole repairs to protect cyclists’ safety. This is in addition to existing revenues that Labour have already dedicated. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |
Question 6
If elected would you be in favour of a Workplace Parking Levy?
| Sarah BOGLE (Labour Party) | I think parking charges are sensible and am aware of several schemes already in place that charge commuters to park so not sure if this is the right option or not – feel more critical to make the alternatives to the car more attractive, convenient and cost effective and would also be keen to see devolution of transport powers and funding so we can manage the levers that lead to change. |
| Diane COOK (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts | |
| Joe COX (Green Party) | The idea of a Workplace Parking Levy is a good idea. As Bargate ward has the most number of multi-storey car parks where motorists are already paying to park, morally workers in companies that own land in the ward should also have to pay something to park. A study should be undertaken in Southampton so that all the complex details like pricing for example, can be thought out. |
| Ben CURD (Liberal Democrat) | The level of air pollution in Southampton is well beyond recommended limits and is attributed with the deaths of an estimated 200 people per year. We need immediate and meaningful action to address this, including finding ways to reduce the volume of traffic commuting into Southampton daily. The Workplace Parking Levy could be an effective way to do this, and provide valuable funds to invest in alternative transportation – including cycling. However, we would need to consider if it will deliver the desired impact before committing to its implementation, and we would explore this among a number of options if elected. |
| Edward OSMOND (The Conservative Party) |