Currently just 2% of all journeys in Northumberland are by bike and it is easy to see why. Northumberland needs to get ambitious when it comes to cycling. Newcastle’s cycling vision sets out a plan to achieve 12% of all journeys under 5 miles by bike in the next 10 years. I want Northumberland County Council to set a specific target for short commuting journeys in the County taken by bike, and to draw up a plan for investment in cycling infrastructure within Northumberland's towns.
We particularly need cycle lanes in towns such a Hexham and Ponteland, which
allow amateur cyclists to make short journeys within our towns. We need to
encourage more commuting by bike which will help reduce traffic and improve
health for local people. Places like Ponteland strike me as ideally suited to a
network of cycle lanes towards the town centre.
The Council's recently published draft Cycling Plan says: "Linking
rural villages to market towns on traffic free routes while desirable is not
always economically viable. Some remote and inaccessible communities can only
be accessed by car. Resources need to be focused where greatest benefit can be
derived. Resources will be targeted on the large towns, market towns, the Tyne
valley corridor and links to the Tyneside conurbation."
I welcome the creation of the Northumberland Cycling Board by Northumberland
County Council - it is a good step forward. Hopefully it will allow ideas and
resources to be shared so that new projects and bids for funding can be put
together.
The Consultation is here: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1426
