Peartree ward

Summary:	Elections to Southampton City Council in May 2018
Polling date:	Thursday 3rd May 2018
Ward:
Candidates (by surname):	Tom BELL (The Conservative Party) Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts) Nick MABEY (Green Party) Robert NAISH (Liberal Democrat) Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)

Questions for Peartree ward candidates (6 questions)

Question 1

If elected will you sign up to the Space for Cycling campaign?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	Yes
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	Yes
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	Yes

Question 2

Are you in favour of removing road space for cars and using this for safe segregated cycle superhighways similar to London?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	Yes! Our roads have favoured cars too much far too long which creates fake incentives not to cycle.
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	Yes
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	I lived in the Netherlands for a year and have experienced first-hand the city planning as described in the We Are Cycling UK Space for Cycling leaflet. I am pleased that the City Council’s Labour administration is looking at a number of ways to improve Southampton highways infrastructure, working with various cycling groups.

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?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	Yes. This is a core part of the Conservative manifesto
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	Yes
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	As a cyclist myself, I agree that more needs to be done to make cycling safer. However, I do not think that lowering the speed limit in isolation is the answer. I am aware that in recent years the council, working with Labour Councillors, has trialled reducing speed limits at danger hotspots but without success.

Question 4

If elected what would you do to encourage cycling in Southampton?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	I would work within a Conservative-lead council to change planning policy to require showers for cyclists in new workplace buildings. I would also lobby a Labour-run council to do the same. I would earnestly and passionately work alongside any relevant parties and councillors to promote cycle-friendly agendas.
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	1. Cycle myself 2. Get cycling on the agenda 3. Campaign
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	I am aware of several ways in which the Labour administration encourages cycling in Southampton, including: a quarterly forum chaired by Cllr Eamonn Keogh to listen to the various cycling bodies concerned with cycling issues, whether commuter, social or family cyclists. the launch of a 10 year cycling plan created in discussion with cyclist groups, that is costed and deliverable investing more money as a council than ever before and listening to cyclists working with Yo bike to ensure bicycles are available across the city for people who may not be confident enough or able to purchase their own bike. recognising that cycling issues also play a major part in our Air Quality Action plan and modal shift across the city. If elected, I would support this ongoing work and ensure cycling remains a priority.

Question 5

If elected would you be in favour of allocating 10% of the local transport budget to cycling?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	As someone who cycles to work through Southampton every day, I want the council to take bold and radical steps to re-allocate funding to favour cycling. Much of the local transport budget is spent in ways which benefit all road users, such as fixing potholes, which Southampton Labour have failed cyclists on. I would seek to work towards allocating 10% of the transport budget to improving road infrastructure for cyclists.
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	Yes
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	I would. To my knowledge, under Labour administration Southampton City Council currently spends more than 10% of the Transport budget on cycling.

Question 6

If elected would you be in favour of a Workplace Parking Levy?

Tom BELL (The Conservative Party)	I would be in favour of consulting with a range of employers in Southampton to determine the right ways to raise funds for cycling without infringing on the rights of employers to feasibly offer parking spaces. This may well lead to the conclusion that a Workplace Parking Levy is appropriate.
Declan CLUNE (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts)
Nick MABEY (Green Party)	Yes
Catherine RENDLE (Labour Party)	I understand a levy scheme is in operation in Nottingham, Cambridge and is being considered in Oxford and Manchester. I would be interested to know how a Workplace Parking Levy works in practicality, and how local councils can continue to support small local businesses, as well as positively encouraging cycling and its many benefits.