Stockport 2023 elections candidate questionnaire

It’s election season in Stockport, and with all seats up for grabs it’s a crucial moment for the future of the borough.

Stockport’s Walk Ride groups have prepared the following questions and sent them to all candidates. We will add their replies to this page as they arrive.
 

The questions

Bramhall North

Bredbury Green & Romiley

Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North

Cheadle Hulme South

Cheadle West & Gatley

Davenport & Cale Green

Edgeley

Heatons South

Marple North

Offerton

Norbury & Woodsmoor

Reddish North

Reddish South

 

The questions

1. School streets

A School Street is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times. The restriction applies to school traffic and through traffic. The result is a safer, healthier and pleasant environment for everyone.

School Street schemes offer a proactive solution for school communities to tackle air pollution, poor health and road danger reduction. A School Street scheme will encourage a healthier lifestyle and active travel to school for families and lead to a better environment for everyone.[1]

Do you commit to supporting a School Street in your ward, and to enabling the introduction of School Streets across Stockport?

2. Barrier-free active travel

Physical barriers such as chicanes and bollards have been installed across Stockport on walking and cycling routes to prevent access by motorised vehicles. However, these barriers frequently restrict access by legitimate users, particularly disabled people, parents/carers with pushchairs and users of non-standard cycles.

Many of these barriers are in contravention of the Equality Act 2010 which requires that public bodies must not only alter or remove existing physical features that discriminate but must also ensure that new features are accessible to all.[2]

Do you commit to the removal of physical barriers that prevent access to active travel routes across Stockport?

3. 20 mph speed limits

Evidence shows that reducing speed limits reduces road traffic collisions and saves lives, and NICE and the WHO recommend 20 mph where people and motor vehicles mix.

Additionally, research has found that fuel efficiency reaches a peak when speed is limited to 20 mph. Drivers can save up to 10p per mile without seeing longer journey times, due to the stop-start nature of urban traffic.

Surveys reveal that the vast majority of residents support 20 mph speed limits, and their popularity generally increases after introduction.

Do you commit to the rollout of 20 mph speed limits on all residential roads in Stockport?

4. Space for cycling

66% of UK adults in the National Travel Attitudes Survey agreed that “it is too dangerous for me to cycle on the roads”, and the figure is even higher among women (71%).

Recent research suggests that building protected cycle lanes leads to safer roads for all road users.

Do you commit to the creation of direct and protected safe cycling routes on major roads in Stockport?

5. Anything else?

Is there anything else you would like to say?
 

Bramhall North

Deborah Hind – Green Party

1. School streets –Yes.

2. Barrier-free active travel – Yes.

3. 20 mph speed limits – Yes.

4. Space for cycling –Yes.
 

Bredbury Green & Romiley

Peter Black – Labour

1. School streets – Yes, I think School Streets are essential for making children safe and enhancing the quality of life for everyone. I think the previous Stockport School Street trial was misconceived and always bound to fail. I would support every ward having an initial School Street, with ANPR enforcement, with this extended as soon as possible to every school where a School Street was feasible and desirable.

2. Barrier-free active travel – Yes, I think Stockport should start an immediate programme to remove physical barriers on active travel routes.

3. 20 mph speed limits – Yes, I think the Council should implement their own resolution immediately. Even one death saved per year shows a positive case for the public sector to implement 20 mph speed limits on all residential roads in Stockport.

4. Space for cycling – Yes.

5. Anything else? – Active travel has the greatest potential to improve the quality of life for residents in Stockport. It should be a council priority.
 

Mark Roberts – Liberal Democrats

1. School streets – Play streets and school streets was something I pushed to reform council policy on from opposition through scrutiny and I do think the policy and council approach is much better than it was, there is always more that can be done and much is resource and staff capacity dependant. There is a frustrating reality that local authorities outside London don’t have the same base of resource or capacity and legislation to back them up. I’ve been really pleased to see under a Lib Dem administration we have worked to explore what works for us locally as some of the schemes worked better than others when trialled. Finding an answer to local residents’ concerns around displaced parking issues is always going to be the biggest challenge which is why a broad active travel approach and engagement are essential and park and strides or safe cycle routes to schools may be preferential.

Where my community supports a school street I will support it. Some schools lend themselves to the approach more than others but any measures that encourage active travel to and from school I will very happily work with officers, the schools and wider community to find a way forward as I have through my first term.

2. Barrier-free active travel – I am very proud that under the current Lib Dem administration we introduced one of the most progressive access policies for barriers, replacing the approach started by the previous Labour administration and making it much more legitimate access friendly and I know other councils locally are looking at our policy and how they may take from it things which are applicable. The replacement of old barriers won’t happen overnight as with so much of this work in this area it is funding-dependent and that funding decision is usually dependent on other organisations’ agendas.

As and when action can be taken, I believe it now can and will thanks to the new policy guidance we introduced. There is more to be done but we are now moving in the right direction.

3. 20 mph speed limits – I am very proud that I as proposer and the Liberal Democrats across Stockport led the council chamber to agree to adopt 20mph on residential roads across Stockport in a council motion. We are committed to increasing the number of 20mph limits on residential roads and I do believe the direction of travel is now heading in the right way but as with other areas of this work we need the council to be funded properly and to take local residents with us. We have asked the GM Combined Authority to provide more funding to allow us to expand this more quickly than current funding has allowed so far and encouraged a GM wide adoption. This is also something National Government needs to lead on to help change the mindset of drivers when traveling in a residential area and ensure that the police will take action to tackle speeding.

I think there is a frustrating timescale that is a reality in this agenda but I do think thanks to the LibDems it is now on its way for Stockport.

4. Space for cycling – Yes, where this is the right thing to pursue to garner the most modal shift. The council has been ambitious in its applications for funding under the Liberal Democrats seeking to serve the entire borough with the applications submitted and hopefully we’ll have some good news on Active Travel 4 funding for more cycle schemes in the early summer. We continue to work up plans for new schemes so we are ready to bid for any new funding as it becomes available but the council does have to work within the guidelines that accompany the funding and these can change and notice to apply for funding can be frustratingly tight. I do believe that proper engagement and consultation to ensure we take local communities with us is essential to ensure that any modal shift is sustainable.

5. Anything else? – Micro mobility is going to be a really interesting area to see develop over the coming years with new challenges, priorities and conflicts likely on our active travel routes. I’m keen to learn what has worked and what hasn’t from other authorities but we need national government to catch up on this area with legislation or risk being left behind by the population we represent.

I do think given limited resources that what we have to prioritise is garnering modal shift and encouraging people to walk or wheel the journeys they currently take by car but don’t have to.
 

Lisa Smart – Liberal Democrats

1. School streets – We’ve had mixed results with the pilots so far. I’m very committed to proper engagement and consultation to make sure there is community support for them so that, where they are supported, they bring about the change that’s hoped for.

2. Barrier-free active travel – The current Lib Dem administration introduced one of the most progressive access policies for barriers, replacing the approach started by the previous Labour administration and which we hope other councils will eventually copy. We are replacing the existing barriers which do not comply with this policy with more accessible ones as quickly as we can, as funding and opportunity allows.

3. 20mph speed limits – The Lib Dems in Stockport are committed to increasing the number of 20mph limits on residential roads and the we brought a motion through Full Council in July 2021 on this very issue, calling for their introduction on all residential roads. We have asked the GM Combined Authority to provide more funding to allow us to expand this more quickly than current funding has allowed so far.

4. Space for cycling – The council has been very successful in obtaining new funding for cycle schemes. We continue to work up plans for new schemes so we are ready to bid for any new funding as it becomes available. We have to work within the guidelines that accompany the funding and these often encompass protected cycle routes, which will eventually link up different areas of the borough.  Again we are committed to proper engagement and consultation to ensure we take local communities with us and so that any modal shift is sustainable.
 

Cheadle East & Cheadle Hulme North

Jilly Julian – Liberal Democrats

1. School streets – I think that School Streets are a great thing, and where the community want them, would absolutely support them.  It’s critical that the engagement and consultation around school streets is undertaken thoroughly to ensure full community support.  But we’re committed to finding ways to make the process and implementation of school streets easier in areas where the community want them.

2. Barrier-free active travel – I have always personally advocated for the removal of A frames, tight chicanes, and any barriers that restrict access for all.  My enquiries and discussions with GMP confirmed that those barriers do little to curb off-road biking and ASB, which is usually the justification offered.  But they do restrict access – often to essential green spaces – for those with buggies, wheelchair users, those with mobility aids etc. and access for all should be the starting principle.  The Lib Dems introduced a new, more progressive access policy which is a great stride, and are now exploring funding to help expedite the replacement of non-policy-compliant barriers.

3. 20mph speed limits – I seconded the ‘20’s plenty’ motion proposed by the Lib Dems in the Council chamber, and we continue to push for GMCA funding to assist roll out and implementation across the borough.

4. Space for cycling – I myself cycle around the Borough (and beyond) a LOT.  It’s my primary transport for solo journeys, and I spend most of those journeys fervently wishing for protected cycle lanes!  As the Bee Network continues to develop, we continue to look for ways to ensure the routes within there are well-linked, well-signed and well-protected wherever possible – understanding that this always has to be within Highways guidelines and also that particular project’s funding guidelines. The Lib Dems are committed to contributing to modal shift and continue to look for creative ways it can be achieved and supported.
 

Cheadle Hulme South

Keith Holloway – Liberal Democrats

1. School streets – The council undertook a pilot of school streets and has also introduced an extra new school street scheme since. So far the success rate has been mixed, so a Lib Dem administration would continue to look at the best way to implement these before rolling them out on a wider basis.  We are committed to proper engagement and consultation to ensure there is community support for such schemes so that, where they are supported, they can deliver sustainable modal shift.

2. Barrier-free active travel – The current Lib Dem administration introduced one of the most progressive access policies for barriers, replacing the approach started by the previous Labour administration and which we hope other councils will eventually copy. We are replacing the existing barriers which do not comply with this policy with more accessible ones as quickly as we can, as funding and opportunity allows.

3. 20mph speed limits – We are committed to increasing the number of 20mph limits on residential roads and the Lib Dems brought a motion through Full Council in July 2021 on this very issue, calling for their introduction on all residential roads. We have asked the GM Combined Authority to provide more funding to allow us to expand this more quickly than current funding has allowed so far.

4. Space for cycling – The council has been very successful in obtaining new funding for cycle schemes. We continue to work up plans for new schemes so we are ready to bid for any new funding as it becomes available. We do have to work within the guidelines that accompany the funding and these often encompass protected cycle routes, which will eventually link up different areas of the borough. Again we are committed to proper engagement and consultation to ensure we take local communities with us and so that any modal shift is sustainable.
 

Cheadle West & Gatley

Rayne Barrett – Green Party

1. School streets – Yes.

2. Barrier-free active travel – Yes.

3. 20 mph speed limits – Yes.

4. Space for cycling – Yes.
 

Davenport & Cale Green

Janet Mobbs – Labour

1. School streets – I actively campaigned for and supported the introduction of a School Street trial on Broomfield Drive in South Reddish. I worked with residents, the school, and Stockport Council to get the trial developed, agreed, and implemented, and subsequently worked with the same agencies to extend the trial. Sadly, funding for the scheme dried up but I continued to work with agencies with a view to implementing a permanent scheme. The end of trial consultation demonstrated the many benefits that residents, the school, the children, and their families got from the School Street, and I would fully support the rollout of more School Streets across Stockport.

2. Barrier-free active travel – I have supported the development and improvement of several walking and cycling routes across Stockport, using my position on the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee to raise concerns about physical barriers on routes. I have always liaised with WalkRide Heatons to ensure that my views and actions have been informed by the experience of cyclists and pedestrians and not just based on my own, limited experiences. I believe that SMBC must strive to make all routes fully inclusive and accessible.

3. 20 mph speed limits – I fully support the roll out of 20mph on all residential streets. Not only is this safer for all users, but it also makes for quieter, calmer neighbourhoods.

4. Space for cycling – It is really clear to me that protected cycle lanes will encourage more cycling by ensuring safer cycle spaces where even non-cyclists are more likely to be willing to give cycling a try. We should also be looking to plan more direct, better maintained and lit cycling routes that make cycling a safe and effective means of travel.

5. Anything else? – In addition to barrier-free cycling and walking routes and more School Streets, I would like to see more support for communities to introduce Play Streets. I would also like to thank WalkRide Heatons for the invaluable briefings they have provided for councillors. As a non-cyclist, these have been really informative.
 

John Pearson – Stockport Fights Austerity No To Cuts

1. School streets – Yes, if elected I will support the introduction of School Streets in Stockport. Protection of our children against the scandalously illegal levels of air pollution is of paramount importance. I would also support the introduction of heavy penalties for motorists who leave engines ‘ticking over’ when picking up children.

2. Barrier-free active travel – I am firmly committed to positive action to remove all barriers to disabled people having equal access to public wayfaring and facilities. If I am elected, I would press for meaningful consultation on all Council schemes for erection of barriers to motor traffic and for proper equal impact assessments to be produced which demonstrate that there is compatibility with the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty.

3. 20mph speed limits – Yes, if elected I would be supportive, subject, in all cases, to meaningful public consultation, the results of which are heeded, of the roll out of 20mph speed limits on all residential streets. These must be well signposted. As a motorist myself, I have too often seen ’20 mph zone ends’ signs without having earlier seen prominent ’20 mph zone starts’ signs.

4. Space for cycling – Yes, I would support schemes for creation of protected cycle lanes.

5. Anything else? – I firmly support improvement of public transport and, with particular reference to question number 2, the removal of the substantial barriers which still exist, to disabled people having equal access to all forms of public transport, requires urgent and concerted action.
 

Ashley Walker – Stockport Fights Austerity No To Cuts

1. School streets – I think school streets are a great idea and am happy to commit to doing all i can, if elected, to help see them implemented in the ward I’m standing in and across Stockport.

2. Barrier-free active travel – I agree that we must remove physical barriers which prevent access for the groups mentioned in this question, and of course any other people similarly affected. I am sure if people driving motorised vehicles is a nuisance in some such streets and paths, the people of Stockport can work together to find a solution which doesn’t come at the expense of the inclusion and reasonable moblity of such groups of people. I am happy to commit, if elected, to help make this a reality.