On Thursday 6th May you vote for Scottish Parliament and Council representatives. To help you, SPOKES offered the parties space to put their case on cycling and/or wider transport issues.
Now it's your turn. Read what they say - question them at meetings - vote on 6th May. But don't leave it there! After the election, write to your new councillor and MSP to ask for action on their promises! For every 1000 people who vote, maybe only 2 or 3 contact their representative later. By doing this once or twice a year, you can have a real impact on transport policy!
On 6 May you have 3 votes - one for your councillor, and two for the Scottish Parliament (for your local MSP, and for a party-list). Since Spokes has already held an Election Forum for the Scottish Parliament, we concentrate on the Council elections in this leaflet.
Being short of space, we only asked for statements from parties on the two big Lothian councils - West Lothian and Edinburgh . We were pleased to get replies from all but one (W.Lothian Conservatives). The Greens also requested a statement. The statements are printed in the order received.
The content was entirely up to each party, but we suggested they might put cycling policies into a transport or wider policy context, and might cover traffic growth, cycle budgets and staffing, safe routes, and targets.
Each party was offered 180 words, and was told longer statements would be shortened (one was over 400 words!).
In 1996 Lothian Regional Council was abolished by the then Conservative government and replaced by 4 new smaller councils. Spokes was worried [Spokes 52,56,57,58] at possible loss of commitment and expertise on cycling, and conflict between councils. Some fears were borne out.
Expenditure on cycling and safe routes to school has in East and Midlothian been way below even the Scottish average [Spokes 70]; and Midlothian's 'traditional' views on development have led to the massive car-based IKEA project and the proposed A701 dual-carriageway [Spokes 71]. Conflict between councils led to delays in the A89 long-distance West Lothian/Edinburgh route.
On the other hand, Edinburgh has continued to develop the previous forward-looking transport strategy; and West Lothian has shown a real verve for innovative policy, especially Safe Routes to School and Slow Speeds, despite its dispersed and car-oriented geography. Compared to other Scottish councils, Edinburgh and W.Lothian have allocated high staff and cash resources to cycling [Spokes 70].
Although East and Midlothian have spent little on cycling in comparison, it has not been totally neglected, with school Safe Routes work, and innovative main-road cycle schemes.
Cyclists must continue to pressure their local council for transport strategies which take cycling, walking, environ-mental and public-health aspects seriously.
However a huge priority is also pressure at Scottish government level. Under Labour the Scottish Office has almost phased out new trunk road building, and has given councils new public transport funds. But - there are no new funds for walking/cycling [Spokes 71]. Until government gives this financial message, only a few pioneering councils will see walking and cycling as serious transport modes. Yet in England the government is doing this, and very successfully. Nearly all 92 English council transport 'packages' recently funded include cycling and/or Safe Routes to School! [LTT 1.1.99]. Lobbying Members of the Scottish Parliament on this matter must be a top priority.
MPs and councillors tell us that one of the main reasons SPOKES is successful is that many members of the public contact them about cycling - not SPOKES alone. So make your voice heard during the elections, with canvassers, candidates, to newspapers, and at meetings.
Example letter to Lothian candidates for Scottish Parliament
This really is important! Write to or visit your new MSP and councillor. Contact them again at least once a year till the next election. Ask your own question(s), and/or remind them of relevant promises. Ask them to investigate your points and to write back to you with the results!
To find their name [and constituency or ward], phone the Citizens' Advice Bureau [557.1500 in Edinburgh]. From your street name or postcode, the CAB can identify your MSP and councillor, and probably give you extra info such as surgery times, e-mail, etc.
SNP, West Lothian Cllr Eddie Malcolm
The Scottish National Party in West Lothian are fully committed to cycling provisions within it's borders and will work with neighbouring councils in coordinating a Central Scotland network of cycle ways. Without this co-operation between authorities, the whole exercise will fail.
We are committed to working with the different public transport operators to encourage integrated transport systems, to benefit passengers and companies.
We are determined to eradicate the deplorable state of our pavements and walkways, this we believe will encourage people to walk.
The roads in West Lothian, particularly rural roads, have been allowed to fall into disrepair with a growing number of potholes appearing daily. We know this is a concern for all road users and will reinstate the cuts in road maintenance and furthermore increase the repair budget for this purpose.
The SNP are fully aware of the concerns of all pressure groups and will ensure that all projects regarding safety are addressed on a fair and equitable proportional basis. No one aspect will take precedence, except for safety reasons.
Consultation will be our password.
Cllr David Begg, Transport Committee Convener
Edinburgh's moving FORWARD transport strategy aims to help create a civilised, safe, inclusive and sustainable city. The strategy seeks to improve alternatives to the car, reduce the need for car travel, restrain traffic and improve safety.
Labour would continue and further develop the strategy. In particular, we would look to including traffic reduction targets in our Local Transport Strategy.
We are already well on track towards our target of increasing cycling's share of Edinburgh commuter journeys from 1.9% in 1991 to 4% in 2000 and 10% in 2010, and we will continue this strategy. Targets will also be set for travel to school by cycle.
Re-allocation of road space is the focus of measures to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use. This requires integrating provision for cyclists into all traffic management and road schemes. To ensure that this continues Labour is committed to the continued existence of a cycle team of at least two full time posts.
A Labour Edinburgh Council would increase the percentage of its transportation capital budget spent on cycling from 3% to at least 5%.
Cllr Margaret Smith, Transport Spokesperson
I'd like to congratulate SPOKES for the excellent job you do in keeping cycling on the political agenda in Lothian.
We support plans to increase the numbers of cyclists in Edinburgh. How can we hit the target of target of 10% of local people cycling to work by 2010?
- Increased road safety; safe routes to school schemes; road traffic reduction and speed reduction measures; 20mph and home zone initiatives.
- Increased road maintenance. We would spend an extra £1million next year.
- Secure, available bike storage throughout the city.
- Council transport/planning decisions must be cycle audited.
- Liberal Democrats are committed to retaining a dedicated specialist cycle team.
- Traffic management measures such as staggered stop lines; cycle bypasses at traffic lights and wider cycle lanes.
- Joint working parties with other local councils, as well as supporting the Sustrans Millennium National Network and Canal Millennium project.
We must change our travel and land use patterns if we are to pass onto our children a healthy and wealthy city which plays its part in the protection of the world's environment.
Cllr Allan Jackson, Transport Spokesman
The Conservative Group on Edinburgh City Council has no major differences with the established policies of the Council, which have received all party support to date. We certainly base our transportation policies on the wish to encourage walking, cycling and public transport alternatives to private car use.
We are concerned that insufficient effort has been put in to these alternatives BEFORE the design capacity of many of the City's roads has been reduced by pavement widening etc. This has simply meant that the same number of cars are still using the narrowed roads causing more congestion and pollution to pedestrians, cyclists, etc.
We will, therefore, seek to reorganise Council expenditure towards an improvement in the provision of walking/cycling routes and public transport initiatives road or rail.
Many cyclists complain about the appalling lack of road maintenance as do pedestrians (like me) about pavements. In this year's budget we allowed for an extra £1m in this direction and will continue to argue for such expenditure.
Transportation policy is extremely important and must be got right.
An SNP Council will seek to reduce private car use in the city by way of improvements to public transport. The current attempts at reducing private car use have involved too much 'stick' and not enough 'carrot'. The SNP will not wage war on the private car user but seek to provide attractive alternatives to such use as a transport staple.
An SNP Council would seek to encourage cycling through the introduction of a guaranteed level of cycle paths, lanes and other facilities each year. The SNP would seek to introduce, where possible, cycle lanes that are separate from roads. The SNP would seek to develop transport solutions for Edinburgh that encourage a switch from private car to public transport and the use of other forms of transport such as cycling and walking. We believe these last two modes are made unattractive due to the twin blights of congestion and poor footway conditions.
The SNP would seek to develop the 'Safe Routes to School' initiative to reduce congestion associated with the school run and to reduce the culture of car dependency.
Cllr Graeme Morrice, Leader of the Council
Cycling is a vital part of West Lothian's transportation strategy, in line with government transport, public health and environment policies .
Establishing a cycling policy was a priority for the new Labour Council. Published in 1996, Pedalling Beyond the Millennium is free from the Council's Cycling Officer.
Nearly 10% of the Council's 1999/2000 Transportation budget is allocated to cycle schemes, higher than any other Scottish council! Cycle facilities are also included in traffic management schemes/budgets, such as at the dangerous A71 East Calder/Kirknewton junction.
A Labour council will maintain the Cycle Officer post, further develop our on and off road cycling network, and promote new initiatives encouraging cycle use.
We will insist on appropriate cycle access and parking in major developments - providing an alternative to car use.
Labour West Lothian spends more (proportionately) than any other council on Safe Routes to School.
We are in the forefront on Slow Speed Initiatives, with a national conference (May 26), and schemes planned for rural roads, urban roads, and all primary schools.
A Labour West Lothian will further progress these pioneering transport policies.
Scottish Green Party Philine Gaffron
Note: The party is only standing in the Parliament elections, and only for the party-list second vote, as the proportional voting system gives their best hope of election. As they have no council candidates, they supplied the more general statement below.
Walking and cycling are the most sustainable modes of transport and they are also the cheapest to provide for. While most people are happy to walk distances of about one mile, cycling is generally convenient for up to five miles - most car trips today are shorter than this. Cycling should therefore play an important role in any integrated and sustainable transport system. Recognising this, elected Green representatives on every level of government will work for...
- 20mph speed limits in built up areas except on main roads which are not also busy shopping streets.
- fair road pricing and parking charges with revenue raised to be spent on improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists as well as public transport; this will include better road maintenance and more funding for cycle friendly schemes.
- a legal requirement to include green transport plans in planning applications, together with a clear encouragement of walking, cycling and public transport before all other modes.
Greens are committed to a fairer society and healthy environment. A Green transport system is a vital element of both.
Please e-mail
us with your comments and suggestions.
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