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Manifesto(s) mentions cycling

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    Monday means Labour Manifesto.

    Unfortunately it's not that sort of cycling.

    "Next we will drive the introduction of ‘recycling on the go’, with separated public bins on the street and in shopping centres."

    There's more on transport, including -

    "Our towns and cities need modern, sustainable transport infrastructure. We will support tram schemes into the major cities, including upgrades to the Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Tyne & Wear light-rail systems, a modern trolley bus in Leeds, and more Oyster-style electronic ticketing promoting cheap and easy interchange between public transport in cities."

    "Rebuilding our transport infrastructure

    Britain needs to invest in modern, high-capacity and low- carbon transport infrastructure. At the heart of our growth plan is the commitment to a new high-speed rail line, linking North and South. Built in stages, the initial line will link London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds, and then to the North and Scotland. By running through-trains from day one, cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool will also be part of the initial network. Journey times will be slashed – those from the West Midlands to London will be as little as 31 minutes. We will consult fully on legislation to take forward our high-speed rail plans within the next Parliament."

    Those extracts are from the UK/English version.

    http://www2.labour.org.uk/uploads/TheLabourPartyManifesto-2010.pdf

    There's some engineering in the Scottish version.

    "Our towns and cities need modern, sustainable transport infrastructure. We will build the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, supporting 1,300 jobs.

    Rebuilding our transport infrastructure

    Britain needs to invest in modern, high capacity and low- carbon transport infrastructure. At the heart of our growth plan is the commitment to a new high-speed rail line, linking the North and South. Built in stages, the initial line will link London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds, and then to the North and Scotland. By running through-trains from day one, cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool will also be part of the initial network. Journey times will be slashed – Glasgow and Edinburgh will be within three and a half hours of London, making the train a strong competitor to the plane for these longer journeys and slashing carbon emissions. We will consult fully on legislation to take forward our high speed rail plans within the next parliament. Labour is committed to High Speed Rail coming to Scotland, serving Glasgow and Edinburgh and we will set out the business case."

    http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/uploads/26905060-7f2b-9fb4-210c-d5d048e053f1.pdf

    This

    "We will encourage more people to switch to rail with an enforceable right to the cheapest fare, while trebling the number of secure cycle- storage spaces at rail stations."

    does NOT appear in the Scottish version.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  2. spytfyre
    Member

    way to go Scottish Labour

    Posted 14 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    This

    "Tackling road congestion is a key Labour priority. We will extend hard-shoulder running on motorways, alongside targeted motorway widening including on the M25. Too much disruption is caused by local road works: we will increase tenfold the penalties on utilities who allow work to overrun. We rule out the introduction of national road pricing in the next Parliament."

    is missing from Scottish version too. Presume a recognition that 'transport' is devolved.

    Though not sure whether Holyrood could legislate on road pricing.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  4. chdot
    Admin

    Tuesday Conservative

    "
    We will support sustainable travel initiatives that work best for local communities by:
    • giving the concerns of cyclists much greater priority;
    "

    "Create a modern transport network
    A rebalanced economy requires an extensive and reliable infrastructure. but transport has been a low priority for Labour, and the hassle of getting around is bad for business, bad for families and bad for everyone’s quality of life.

    A Conservative government will begin work immediately to create a high speed rail line connecting London and heathrow with birmingham, manchester and Leeds. this is the first step towards achieving our vision of creating a national high speed rail network to join up major cities across england, Scotland and Wales. Stage two will deliver two new lines bringing the north east, Scotland and Wales into the high speed rail network.

    Because travel abroad is so important for our economy and for family holidays, we need to improve our airports and reduce the environmental impact of flying. Our goal is to make Heathrow airport better, not bigger. We will stop the third runway and instead link Heathrow directly to our high speed rail network, providing an alternative to thousands of flights. In addition, we will:

    • block plans for second runways at Stansted and gatwick; and,

    • reform air Passenger Duty to encourage a switch to fuller and cleaner planes.

    To improve life for commuters and encourage people to switch to lower carbon public transport, we will reform our railways to provide a better focus on tackling problems that matter most to passengers, such as overcrowding. We will grant longer, more flexible rail franchises to incentivise private sector investment in improvements like longer trains and better stations.

    We support Crossrail and the electrification of the great Western line to South Wales. We will turn the rail regulator into a powerful passenger champion and reform network rail to make it more accountable to its customers. and we will introduce a moratorium on building on disused rail lines still in public ownership, so they are available to be re-opened.

    Britain has the chance to lead the world in making our transport system greener. So we will introduce incentives for electricity network operators to establish a new national car recharging network, making it much easier for drivers to move to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
    "

    http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Manifesto.aspx

    Posted 14 years ago #

  5. LaidBack
    Member

    We will grant longer, more flexible rail franchises...

    First Groups extended ScotRail franchise was a sign of this in action (a SG decision I think?). Some have misgivings...

    Posted 14 years ago #

  6. Kim
    Member

    Shame they didn't read my Manifesto suggestions things that would really make a difference and some of them wouldn't even cost money.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "Shame they didn't read my Manifesto suggestions"

    They did, but your proposals are too sensible.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  8. spytfyre
    Member

    http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/tories-publish-first-ever-hard%11back-edition-of-the-daily-mail-201004132634/

    Posted 14 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    "Support responsible pedal cycling but have zero tolerance on dangerous practices such as running red lights. We will consult on proposals for cyclists to display a cheap 'Cycledisc' to deter theft and give 3rd party insurance for car damage."

    http://www.ukip.org/content/ukip-policies/1430-transport-ukip-policy

    Posted 14 years ago #

  10. Kim
    Member

    Do the loony right seriously expect to get elected?? With a wee bit of luck they will spilt the vote and let someone with a wee bit of sense in.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    Wed - LibDem

    "Include the promotion of safer cycling and pedestrian routes in all local transport plans."

    "To help the transition to a green economy over the longer-term, we will set up a United Kingdom Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) to attract private finance – essential to delivering the much-needed expansion of Britain’s transport and energy infrastructure when public finances are tight."

    "We will invest in public transport and cut rail fares"

    "public transport you can rely on

    Britain needs a well-run, efficient transport system. Public transport is an important part of a fair society and the best way to cut carbon emissions from transport without trying to limit people’s opportunities to travel."

    http://network.libdems.org.uk/manifesto2010/libdem_manifesto_2010.pdf

    Posted 14 years ago #

  12. Kim
    Member

    It is a bit thin, "Include the promotion of safer cycling and pedestrian routes in all local transport plans." doesn't mean much, more of a missed opportunity.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    "Shame they didn't read my Manifesto"

    At least you have influential fans.

    @carltonreid Good manifesto for 'active travel' by @kim_harding 

    http://tinyurl.com/yjyuf45 

    Includes 'strict liability'.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  14. Dave
    Member

    Nobody wants safer routes to be built, we'd rather have legislative change to make all the existing roads safe, just like that.

    Pigs again!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  15. Arellcat
    Moderator

    On the LibDem's proposed UKIB - alarm bells rang in my head on reading the words private finance. So a national or local Government isn't willing or able to fund some piece of infrastructure, we ask the private sector to pay for it instead. Except that as we've seen with the RIE, the moment the Gov loses ownership of land and access routes, it also ownership for making improvements to anything ill-designed or ill-maintained.

    I've seen enough travel plans that contain wonderful, aspirational phrases as to promote more vigorously... to know that it neatly excuses an organisation from actually doing anything material at all.

    My experience is that people cycle mainly because it saves them money, and it helps improve their health. A lower environmental impact is surprisingly low on the radar, as is the notion of road skills training leading to more confident cyclists, and thus more cyclists.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  16. Kim
    Member

    @Arellcat "... notion of road skills training leading to more confident cyclists, and thus more cyclists. " Hieratic, burn the witch ;-)

    No, you are right, it is not high on the radar because they don't know it is there, offer people training and support, and they are more interested in taking it.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  17. chdot
    Admin

    More manifesto analysis by Carlton Reid -

    "Labour and Tories wimp out on cycling; UKIP doesn’t

    Let me put something on record. I wouldn’t vote for a political party that promised to be the bees knees for cycling. I might be a bike geek but I have wider interests than just cycling."

    http://quickrelease.tv/?p=1208

    Posted 14 years ago #

  18. SRD
    Moderator

    Kim: 'Hieratic' : Hieratic is a cursive writing system used in pharaonic Egypt and Nubia that developed alongside the hieroglyphic system,[1] to which it is intimately related. It was primarily written in ink with a reed brush on papyrus, allowing scribes to write quickly without resorting to the time-consuming hieroglyphs. The word hieratic derives from the Greek phrase γράμματα ἱερατικά (grammata hieratika; literally "priestly writing"), which was first used by Saint Clement of Alexandria in the second century AD,[2] as at that time hieratic was used only for religious texts, as had been the case for the previous thousand years.

    Sorry! Couldn't resist. This one is just too funny :) I bet Arellcat didn't know she had such language skills!!!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  19. Kim
    Member

    Damn spell checker of course I meant to write Heretic, oh the joys of being dyslexic.

    I am sure that Arellcat is highly talented really ;-)

    Posted 14 years ago #

  20. Arellcat
    Moderator

    @Kim: I am, thank you. My lexicographical and grammatical knowledge is quite robust, notwithstanding the ironic omission of loses in my earlier post. I presumed you meant heretic but I didn't want to say. :-D

    I used notion in an attempt to convey the (somewhat frustrating) reluctance to consider cycle training of people who feel that they already have more than adequate fitness and road awareness from driving a car, and who promptly pootle themselves around roundabouts at 5mph.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    "Local authorities should be given additional powers to enforce a 'cyclists dismount' or 'no cycling' regulation where there are safety concerns – such as on busy roundabouts, junctions or bus lanes, or where the road would be too narrowed by cycle lanes and cause unacceptable delays to traffic."  

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/14/general-election-cyclist-pledges

    Posted 14 years ago #

  22. Dave
    Member

    Interestingly the cyclist dismount and cycle lane signs are one of a very few blue signs (think one way street arrows for example) which you don't have to follow.

    However it must be tempting for those in power to know they could harmonise so easily...

    Posted 14 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    Thursday is Green (in England and Wales)

    "
    transport

    Promoting safety and sustainability

    The emphasis in transport policy should be upon improving access to local facilities and everyday transport. We would prioritise transport modes according to the following hierarchy:

    1. Walking and cycling
    2. Public transport (trains, trams and buses) and rail freight
    3. Cars
    4. Heavy goods vehicles
    5. Flying

    To encourage walking and cycling for shorter journeys and improve road safety we would:

    • Reduce speed limits (e.g. to 20mph in built-up areas, including villages).

    • Make streets safe; make them public spaces again. Plan for mixed-use developments where shops, housing and businesses are closely located and connected by pavements and cycleways.

    • Introduce a maximum speed limit of 55mph on motorways and trunk roads, and 40mph on rural roads, to make them safer for all road users.

    • Introduce schemes such as Home Zones, Safe Routes to School and pedestrianisation.

    • Ensure that at least 10% of transport spending is on securing a shift to more active travel like walking and cycling.

    "

    http://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/resources/Manifesto_web_file.pdf

    Posted 14 years ago #

  24. chdot
    Admin

    The CTC is asking all candidates throughout the UK to sign up to its "Vote Bike Manifesto".

    So far (15th April) only two of Edinburgh's 24 candidates have signed.

    Mr Mark Lazarowicz, Edinburgh North and Leith, Labour -

    "I support all these points. Indeed, I think we should be seeking to be even more ambitious - other countries can do it! I have been a keen supporter of the All-Party cycling group here in Parliament, and have also been a member of Spokes, the Lothian cycle campaign, for 25 years or so (the only MP to be a member, I think).

    I also promoted these types of policies in Edinburgh when a member of the City Council.

    I regularly cycle in Edinburgh at home, and also regularly cycle to and from the House of Commons when in Westminster.""

    Mr Tim McKay, Edinburgh South West, Liberal Democrat -

    "As a keen road cyclist, I am happy to back this manifesto, particularly number two, as some cyclists give us a bad name with their poor road sense""

    Posted 14 years ago #

  25. SRD
    Moderator

    Mark is a fabulous MP. Sigh. I was very sad to move out of his constituency.

    Good for Mckay as well (although isn't he the one who the EEN says is in Australia? hope he wasn't planning on flying back soon...)

    ADMIN EDIT

    He's back

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Lib-Dem-candidate-I39m-home.6251321.jp

    Posted 14 years ago #

  26. chdot
    Admin

    "FROM GEORGE KEREVAN
    SNP CANDIDATE, EDINBURGH EAST

    I am happy to endorse the Vote Bike Manifesto.

    We all know that cycle use in Scotland is a miserable one per cent of all journeys. You have my commitment to work towards achieving nearer the European level.

    I note that the Scottish Government’s cycle action plan (Scotland’s first) will propose getting us to 10 per cent of all journeys by bike by 2020. Actually, we have no choice if we are to hit the 42 per cent reduction target for emissions.

    I also note that Spokes suggests that total public investment from all sources in cycling in Scotland is around one per cent of the transport budget. As a Westminster MP, you have my assurance to work to ensure that figure is increased – in relative and absolute terms.

    Also I am always open to help and advice on this issue.

    Yours
    George Kerevan
    SNP candidate for Edinburgh East.
    Brunstane@aol.com
    "

    Posted 14 years ago #

  27. cb
    Member

    This seems to be a serious thread so perhaps I shouldn't add this here, however the Monster Raving Loony party have launched their manifesto and are calling for...

    Floating bikes to aid transport

    Sounds like a vote winner to me.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  28. chdot
    Admin

    "This seems to be a serious thread"

    Perhaps, but comprehensive is good.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  29. chdot
    Admin

    Today - Scottish Greens Manifesto

    http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/sendfile.php?id=6399

    "We need better facilities for cyclists and better quality public transport to help people get out of their cars.”

    "On transport, we would:

    make streets more friendly for people to walk and cycle, not just with pavements and cycle lanes but also by reducing dependence on the car and through measures such as speed limits and traffic calming

    work with industry and other EU member states to agree standards for electric vehicles, and begin the long term strategic planning needed to provide charging points in time for these vehicles coming onto the market

    seek to renationalise the railway network, and invest in making stations accessible for all

    expand the high speed rail network, which must be built to serve Scotland, not just London and the southern half of the UK

    oppose airport expansion, to ensure that carbon cuts elsewhere are not wasted

    decrease demand for transport through stronger local economies to meet communities’ needs, and through home working"

    Posted 14 years ago #

  30. chdot
    Admin

    Tuesday and two come along at once

    http://www.snp.org/system/files/SNP+Manifesto+2010+web.pdf

    No cycling.

    Transport -

    "demand a fair fuel regulator to protect motorists from soaring fuel prices and work to make sure Scotland is part of the first phase of the UK high speed rail network."

    "Taking forward the green economy is of course about more than renewables and that’s why Scotland must be part of the first phase of the proposed UK high speed rail network. This move will boost business and reduce carbon emissions by delivering an effective alternative to domestic flights. It will take 30 years for high speed rail to reach Scotland under Labour or Tory plans and this is not acceptable."

    "Connecting Scotland is also an important part of our approach to economic growth. The new Borders Railway will provide direct access for many communities to Edinburgh, boosting local jobs and local economies. Similarly, the faster journey times by train from Aberdeen and Inverness, the improvements on the a9 and a96 and the green light for the Aberdeen by-pass will also deliver social and economic benefits for communities in the north and north east. and we will take forwardthe crucial Forth Replacement Crossing, in the face of the cuts proposed by the government in London.

    Posted 14 years ago #

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