Cambridgeshire & Peterborough mayoral candidates pledge to support transport that improves lives
All five mayoral candidates for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have signed up to the Sustainable Travel Alliance’s manifesto for life-changing transport.
By doing so, Paul Bristow (Conservative), Ryan Coogan (Reform UK), Lorna Dupré (Liberal Democrat), Bob Ensch (Green) and Anna Smith (Labour have pledged, if elected, to bring about better bus services, improve routes for walking, wheeling and cycling and deliver well-maintained roads and paths.
They have also promised to back policies that will lead to clean air and safe streets around schools and play their role in establishing a transport network that is fit for a changing region.
The Travel Alliance, a group of 31 transport, environment and health organisations, issued the manifesto for life-changing transport because they say t outcome of the May elections will make a vital difference to people’s daily journeys.
The Alliance says that having good options for walking, cycling and public transport changes people’s lives for the better.
They say a good sustainable transport network makes it feasible and affordable to access education, training and work, and easy to stay connected to friends and family. Too many people across the region are currently cut off from opportunities in life due to poor transport options, they claim.
By signing up, the mayoral candidates have signalled their intention to proceed with plans to bring buses under local control and pledged to invest in bus services and keep fares low.
They have also promised to appoint a walking and cycling commissioner and lobby the government for increased road maintenance funding for Cambridgeshire.
With the county growing rapidly, they also have pledged to work with those planning new developments to make sure growth brings a better sustainable transport network to the region. The manifesto is available to read on the Travel Alliance’s website at cambstravelalliance.org/manifesto-for-life-changing-transport
The Travel Alliance also asked all candidates standing in the Cambridgeshire County Council elections to support its manifesto. The group has had an excellent response, with support from candidates in each of the county’s five districts – Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, and South Cambridgeshire – and engagement from Conservative, Labour, Green Party, Liberal Democrat and Reform UK candidates, as well as independent candidates.
When the list of manifesto supporters was first published on Monday, April 14, 42 Green Party candidates, 28 Liberal Democrat candidates, 24 Labour Party candidates, four Reform UK candidates and one Conservative Party candidate had pledged their support.
A list of signatories is printed below; the full, current list is available on the Travel Alliance’s website. Candidates can continue to pledge support for the manifesto until polling day, and their names will be added to the list. They are invited to contact info@cambstravelalliance.org with their response.
Sarah Hughes, Travel Alliance campaign officer, said: “We are delighted that so many candidates have promised to play their part in delivering affordable, sustainable transport options across the region.
“If, when elected, candidates follow through on the pledges they have made, daily travel in Cambridgeshire will become easier and more people in the region will be able to live life to the full.
“It’s not too late for candidates to pledge support. We encourage anyone standing for election who has not yet engaged with our campaign to communicate their position on transport with voters by signing up to this important manifesto.”
List of signatories to the manifesto for life-changing transport
Candidates for Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Paul Bristow (Conservative)
Ryan Coogan (Reform UK)
Lorna Dupré (Liberal Democrat)
Bob Ensch (Green)
Anna Smith (Labour)
Fenland candidates for election to Cambridgeshire County Counci who have supported the manifesto bolded)
Chatteris
Daniel Divine (Reform UK)
Jamie Eames (Labour)
Emma Pollard (Green)
March North & Waldersley
Martin Field (Labour)
Elizabeth May (Green)
Hannah Orbell (Labour)
Dal Roy (Independent)
Simon Wilkes (Green)
March South & Rural
Andrew Crawford (Green)
Roman Bank & Peckover
Lucy Mance (Green)
Whittlesey North
John Male (Green)
Whittlesey South
Katharine Bultitude (Labour)
Lilya Masharova (Green)
Barry Wainwright (Independent)
Wisbech East
Nick Brooks (Reform UK)
Toby Ensch (Green)
Wisbech West
Bob Ensch (Green)
