I’m pleased to announce that I’m standing as your Lib Dem candidate for the County Council elections in Romsey this May. I’ve already posted some general information on my blog about myself and why I’m standing this year, so here I’ll post some more specific information about what I will do as your councillor, if I’m elected.

1. 1. Deliver safety improvements at roads and junctions, such as the dangerous junction at Hobart and Suez Road, and fight for pedestrian safety improvements on Vinery Road to keep local residents safe.

      One thing that I’ve been struck by as I’ve spoken to people around the area for the past few months is just how many issues are around road safety. Hobart & Suez Roads, Hobart & Marmora Roads, Vinery Road, Mill Road bridge, Mill Road itself, Greville Rd & Charles St, the Sainsbury’s roundabout, as well as worn road markings throughout the division. I’ll be working to improve areas where residents and cyclists feel it is currently unsafe, and look at making cycling safer throughout the division and city, including supporting the Chisholm Trail.

   2. Continue pushing for more long-term resurfacing work to broken roads and pavements, including on Mill Road and Corrie Road.

      Most times I go out to speak to residents, I come back with one or two photos of potholes to report to the council. The council do fix issues that are reported to them, but there are many roads in the area – Mill Road, Corrie Road, Catharine Road, as well as many others – that are simply falling apart. They need a full resurface, going down to the foundations – else, like Mill Road is now, they’ll just start to disintegrate a few years later.

   3. Keep local people informed about residents’ parking proposals across Romsey

      There are currently proposals for consultations on residents’ parking restrictions going through the council, and our surveys over the winter showed that the community is split down the middle on whether they should be introduced. This is why it’s vitally important that when the consultation does come out, as many people as possible get a chance to participate, so that the final outcome, whatever it may be, is transparent to all

   4. Work to secure improved bus services along Mill Road, Coldhams Lane, and Coleridge Road

      Lack of bus services along the main roads were one of the main issues brought up in our surveys; Mill Road has the regular C2 service during the day, but that disappears in the evening and weekends, and Coldhams Lane and Coleridge Road get an hourly service at best. Although the County Council does not have direct control over the privatised bus services, I’ll work with the newly elected Mayor to try and improve bus services to the area and try to reduce the high cost of bus journeys.

   5. Oppose funding cuts to local schools and work to end the school places crisis.

      National government is reducing the funding they give to schools across Cambridgeshire, and the County Council is not increasing funding to compensate. This will only exacerbate the existing problems of not enough places at local schools. I’ll work with the other Lib Dems on the council, and other councillors, to try and increase the number of school places, and encourage better long-term planning of schools as Cambridge continues to grow.

   6. Scrap the disastrous Park & Ride parking charge and help reduce congestion and air pollution

      Needless to say, the parking charge at Park & Ride sites has been a disaster. The opposition groups are already pushing the Conservatives to reverse it, and I’ll continue their work. Congestion and air pollution is a critically important issue for Romsey and the city, and you can read more about how myself and the Lib Dem group will help tackle it in our manifesto

   7. Protect and enhance local green spaces, and continue to back the opening up of Cambridge Lakes to the public

After several years of silence, some progress was finally made on plans for the Lakes earlier in the year, which you can read about it in the previous post. I’ll continue to support the project, and publicise progress to local residents

1. 1. Keep residents informed about what he and the council are doing through leaflets and online

      Lack of communication from the local councils is one of the main reasons I decided to get involved in local politics in the first place, and is something I’m passionate about. If I’m elected, I’ll keep residents informed about what I’m doing as their representative on the council, and consult residents on any big changes that are coming up, through leaflets, letters, email, and online

   2. Ensure Romsey remains a vibrant and unique area while the city copes with the challenges of growth

      Romsey is my home. There are lots of changes coming to Cambridge in the next few years, and Romsey is going to be right in the middle of them. As your councillor, I’ll fight to keep Romsey unique, and work to maintain Romsey’s special character through the coming years

If you’ve got any questions, please get in touch through the contact form on the website, or my contact details are on the Cambridge Lib Dems website. The Lib Dem manifesto for the county and mayoral elections this year can be accessed here.

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