On May 7th councillors will be elected to your local council. Democracy is widely accepted to be a good thing, and Ealing Cycling Campaign did its bit by holding a hustings on April 8th. We had invited candidates from all the main political parties contesting seats in the borough and all bar one (ReformUK) turned up to talk to us. The Questors Theatre had kindly made a large room available and we had members of the public turn up who don't normally attend our meetings, which extended the age of the audience from less than one year to more than eighty years in the process!
We drew names from a cycle helmet to determine the order of speaking and each candidate in turn presented their position on active travel. All candidates expressed support for the borough's cycling strategy (which includes the cycle network plan prepared by Ealing Cycling Campaign) with some minor reservations from the Tory councillor, citing “safety” (He mentioned bus stop bypasses and the blind.) and the need for essential servicing of shops fronting the A4020. The Green Party candidate said some good things about all ages cycling, saying he wouldn’t be happy with a route unless his 11 year old daughter could do it on her own. The Liberal Democratic Party candidate pointed out that they were the official opposition and would hold the ruling party to account regarding delivery of the strategy. The Ealing Community Independents' candidate spoke of local community involvement, school streets and 'walking and cycling buses'. The Labour Party candidate highlighted the progress the borough has made so far. We had prepared some questions beforehand, collected more from the audience as the evening progressed, and put them to the candidates after all the preliminary speeches. It was a good event that showed strong cross-party support for a joined-up network of safe cycle routes in Ealing. Thanks to all those who came along to speak and to Elly Castellano for chairing.
Aside: Work is under way to improve the useful shortcut for non-motor traffic between Bedford Road and the Uxbridge Road. It was rather scruffy but is receiving new footways, separate cycle lanes and some decorative planting, as shown in the photograph above.
