Hertfordshire County Council Elections 2025
Cycling UK Stevenage have sent the following questions to the agents of all candidates standing in the 6 Divisions in Stevenage for the forthcoming HCC elections on Thursday 2nd May.
Here is the letter that was sent by post to the home address of all election agents: HCC election questions
A copy of the letter was also sent by email to the contact address given on each the local website for each Party.
Responses will be published here on Thursday 24th April.
Question 1 - Responses
The current HCC Local Transport Plan includes a clear commitment to ensure modal shift from the private car to sustainable transport including walking and cycling.
What measures would you take to advance this modal shift and ensure cycling is a safe and easy option for everyday journeys both within Stevenage and to nearby towns and villages.
Question 2 - Responses
Throughout Stevenage, there are cycle paths and links with barriers and bollards that make it harder to use the routes, and for some people using some cycles or mobility aids, they prevent access altogether. In many cases, their removal would be straightforward and inexpensive.
What will you do to ensure the Stevenage network is fully accessible?
Question 3 - Responses
To reach the cycleway network from most residential areas, people must cycle along high traffic roads with no cycling infrastructure. Many residents are genuinely afraid to use these local roads, and parents fear for their children's safety due to the speed of traffic. People of all ages shouldn't feel scared to cycle for everyday journeys.
What will you do to ensure that active travel can be for everyone, not just the brave?
Question 4 - Responses
In a recent audit shared on the Cycling UK Stevenage website we found that in 77% of randomly sampled locations across the town, the surface of the cycle path was worse than on the adjacent road. This was due to potholes, uneven surfaces and poor use of surface treatments. The Defect Management Approach currently used by HCC would appear to favour road maintenance over cycle infrastructure. This has led to a maintenance gap.
What would you do to close this gap and ensure that surfaces that people cycling use are prioritised in the future? How would you measure and publicly report progress toward this goal?
Question 5 - Responses
If elected, would you agree to meet with Cycling UK Stevenage to discuss division specific priorities for active travel?