Arbury Liberal Democrats

MP Julian Huppert uses a bike regularly

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert has won a commitment from the Prime Minister to make cycling safer and promote it ahead of his Westminster Hall debate tomorrow (Thursday, February 23).

David Cameron claimed that cyclists “take their life in their hands” riding in cities and he praised The Times ‘Cities fit for cycling campaign’ which will be supported by Julian during his debate.

Julian asked Mr Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons: “Will the Prime Minister commit the government to supporting the Times campaign, increase investment in cycling and take much greater steps to promote cycling across the country?”

Mr Cameron replied: “The Times campaign is an excellent campaign and I strongly support what they are trying to do.

“Anyone who had got on a bike, particularly in one of our busier cities knows that they are taking their life in their hands, so much so that we do need to do more to make cycling safer.

“The government is making it easier for councils to install mirrors at junctions, has invested £11 million for training for children and £15 million for better cycle routes and facilities across the country.

“If we want to encourage the growth we have seen in cycling in recent years we have got to get behind a campaign like this.”

Later Julian said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister has given a commitment to make cycling safer.

“This government has gone a long way by investing in cycling but there is still much more that can be done. And there is no better time than in this year of the Olympics to take radical steps to promote cycling as our most efficient form of transport.”

During his debate tomorrow Julian will tell Parliament that for a long time cyclists have despaired at government policy which focuses on safety without improving it.

“With increasingly congested cities, more competition for resources and our health deteriorating – the need for investment in cycling has become more acute,” he says.

“We cannot miss this golden opportunity to create a safe, sustainable transport network. For too long cycling has been utterly undervalued and forced into decline.”

Julian is calling for:

• a substantial Increase in national spend on cycling infrastructure and good planning to ensure cycle facilities are integral to new developments;
• training and education for cyclists and drivers, particularly those driving heavy goods vehicles;
• rail franchise agreements to pay much closer attention to cyclists with secure cycle-parking, showers and proper ramps;
• a review of sentencing and prosecution with respect to accidents involving cyclists, and consider new measures such as proportionate liability;
• devolve powers regarding signage to local authorities as soon as possible.

And Julian will call on companies to play their part by installing showers and lockers which go a long way to promoting cycling which, in turn improves general wellbeing and productivity.

 He said the cycle to work scheme works well but it should be extended and tax problems resolved. 

“For years cyclists have worked from the bottom up to promote cycling and put it on the national agenda,” he says. “But the government must also do its part and take further action to promote cycling now.”

The police hold a monthly ‘drop in’ surgery at Arbury Court on the last Wednesday of each month. Anyone can pop along and discuss any issues that they might have with officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing team.

The next session will be on Wednesday 29th February – its usually 1100am to 1.00pm.

Alternatively, if you cannot make the surgery, you can always send an Ecops message (see the Useful Link on the left) or phone the non-emergency number, 101.

Julian Huppert, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, has sponsored an attempt to change the law to improve road safety.

The ten minute rule motion moved by John Leech, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington, would introduce a whole range of measures to improve road safety, as well as encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport by children to and from school.

The news comes just two days before Julian Huppert’s Parliamentary debate on cycling, which has gained huge support from cross-party politicians and the media.

The proposed Bill would include: eye tests for driving license renewal; tougher rules for drink drivers; punishment for turning back mileometers; the promotion of cycling and walking; and support for children using public transport to get to school.

Julian Huppert said “for far too long Governments have failed to deal with the difficult issues around road safety. Innocent bystanders are still killed by drink drivers, it’s still legal to turn back an odometer and there’s far too little support for cycling and walking.

The Government’s recent decision to maintain frequent MOTs was welcome; as was the extra £15 million for cycling and walking announced by Lib Dem Minister Norman Baker MP. But much more should be done. There are still close to 600 injuries on our roads every day and 1,850 deaths a year.

Each of these measures will go a long way to bringing these numbers down. It’s very important that we look at the promotion of cycling and walking, as well as tougher measures to prevent accidents. I hope that the government will consider this package of reforms as soon as possible.”

One planning application has been received for land in Arbury.

For further information click on the link below.

12/0120/FUL 222 Victoria Road

• Proposal to erect new boundary fence and  new entrance door to Block 3.

MP Julian Huppert is visiting a Cambridge charity which helps train unemployed young people and provides a safe working environment for volunteers with learning difficulties tomorrow (Wednesday, February 15).

Reboot based in Waterbeach, takes waste computer equipment from industry, businesses and individuals and recycles and refurbishes it.

In partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, the charity set up a training programme and 24 young people have been taught to strip down a computer, recognise working components and build a computer from recycled parts.

Fifteen of these students were offered employment with the charity and Reboot received an award from JobCentre Plus.

Reboot has also assisted over 600 charities in the east of England with ICT support.

Julian said: “Reboot has shown how one enterprise can make a real difference to the lives of so many people and help so many different organisations.

“By taking unwanted computer equipment and recycling it, Reboot has managed to offer training for young people, a safe workplace for its volunteers and help other charities at the same time.

“I am delighted its work has been recognised with an award and I am looking forward to finding out more Reboot and meeting some of the people.”

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have revealed their alternative budget investing £10 million in transport over the next five years, supporting schools and young people and embarking on a radical programme of energy efficiency.

The budget identifies around £67 million worth of savings in the years to 2017 while reversing the Tories’ withdrawal of financial support for bus services.

Transport investment includes:

• reinstating Cambridge’s city shuttle as the county’s first electric bus;

• an extra £300,000 next year for community transport and further cash injections over the following two years making a total of £1 million. A Quality Bus Contract scheme would be used to deliver an improved countywide bus service;

• transport interchanges would be built to make sure people in rural areas have better access to services;

• the Chisholm Trail, a strategic cycle route linking up Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the CB1 development and the Science Park, would be built;

• the Wisbech to March railway line would be reopened giving an hourly passenger service to Cambridge and allowing people to travel by train to Peterborough and London.

Young people feature high in the Lib Dems’ alternative budget with the promise of a top up to the government’s Pupil Premium for disadvantaged young people by a further £250 per pupil per year.

And there would be free public transport for every young person seeking education or employment. Youth clubs would also be kept open.

Over the next five years £10 million would be spent on maintenance and energy efficiency in schools and a further £1 million on solar panelling.

The voluntary sector would receive £1 million worth of investment over the next two years and Citizens Advice Bureau would receive financial help to assist people facing hardship due to the tough economic climate.  Concessionary fares for pensioners have also been protected.

Among savings identified in the budget is £25 million on Northstowe and a further £12 million by replacing the controversial Ely southern bypass project with an underpass under the railway line.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: “This budget shows how a Liberal Democrat council would do things differently and better. We would tackle entrenched inequality, instead of just talking about it.

“Well targeted investment in bus, rail and cycling infrastructure would allow people to access the wider community and its opportunities, regardless of age and geography.

“We would target support at young people who need it and make smart enhancements to our library service and better maintain our schools.

“We would eliminate Conservative waste and bad contract management and run the council as an efficient, modern organisation, embarking on a radical program of energy efficiency that would generate big savings.

“We would implement a plan to responsibly manage Adult Care, instead of helter skelter budgeting that has demoralised staff and service-users alike and resulted in a 25 per cent cut in care levels mid-year.

“While we cannot find a way to protect core services without increasing council tax, we recognise that working families are hard pressed at this time and would restore public trust by not using this increase to give ourselves a pay rise.”

The full budget amendment text can be found here:  2012Lib_Dem_budget_amendment_-_text

Apprenticeships in Cambridge rose by nearly 50 per cent in the last year with 380 young people benefitting from training programmes.

The news has been welcomed by the city’s MP, Julian Huppert as the government launches National Apprenticeships Week to build on last year’s success.

“This dramatic growth in apprenticeship programmes is good news for our young people,” said Julian. “Apprenticeships give them the first class training they need to get jobs while at the same time providing businesses with the skilled young people they need to help their businesses grow.

“I hope more businesses in Cambridge will take the opportunity during National Apprenticeships Week to find out how these young people could benefit their companies.

“The job market can be extremely difficult for youngsters and apprenticeships are tailored to provide exactly what companies are looking for in new employees. These programmes bring huge benefits not only for the apprentice and business but for the economy as a whole.”

Apprenticeships in Cambridge increased from 260 in 2009/10 to 380 in 2010/11 – a rise of 49 per cent.