Belfast North Election Cycle 2017
When you go to vote on Thursday 2nd March 2017 in Belfast North cycling might not be your top priority, but where candidates stand might have a bearing on where you place your preferences. We contacted all of the candidates standing for election to the Northern Ireland Assembly – below you can see if they responded and what they think of our single 2017 ask (which is backed by three asks from last year):
Will you commit to invest at least £10 per head of population on cycling measures and pledge to support and build upon the urban and rural cycling strategies launched since August 2015?
Paula Bradley (DUP)
No response so far.
Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston (PUP)
“Yes to all three questions however I cannot commit to a specific investment in the absence of a budget.”
Fiona Ferguson (PBPA)
“Yes we agree to commit.”
Robert Foster (UUP)
- On £10 per head of population I commit to this. Northern Ireland has a great number of cyclists including a lapsed one in me who enjoy better health through cycling.
- I commit to the Greenways Strategy.
- I commit to planning changes to reflect cycling and walking needs with an active travel act.
William Humphrey (DUP)
No response so far.
Gerry Kelly (Sinn Féin)
“I can confirm that Sinn Féin supports your 3 key asks as detailed below:
- Investment: Sinn Féin supports funding for cycling of at least £10 per head of population, so as to encourage safer cycling conditions and see more people start cycling
- Greenways: Sinn Féin supports the Greenways Strategy and the development of traffic-free greenways across the country to boost rural regeneration and tourism.
- Legislation: Sinn Féin supports the introduction of an Active Travel Act to incorporate cycling and walking provision into land-use planning and new developments.
“Post-election I look forward to continuing to work with you and your colleagues as we seek to emphasise the health and social benefits of cycling.”
Nichola Mallon (SDLP)
“Thank you for forwarding your survey. My response to each of the three questions you ask is Yes.”
Nuala McAllister (Alliance)
“In short- a yes for all the questions!”
Nelson McCausland (DUP)
No response so far.
Adam Millar (Independent)
No response so far.
Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin)
“Just to reaffirm my support for Election Cycle.”
Malachai O’Hara (Green)
“We have committed to spending £25 per head. You have a firm supporter in me and my party. Keep up the great work.”
Gemma Weir (Workers Party)
“We are delighted to be able to support the three initiatives you propose and agree that their full implementation can make a significant difference to health, the environment and the economy.
“As Workers Party candidates we are fully committed to a safer, healthier environment, a healthier population and to alternative forms of travel and leisure opportunities.
“The ‘Investment, Greenways and Legislation’ strategy will require not just the commitment of individual candidates but inclusion in the next Programme for Government and a public commitment to joined up implementation across a number of Executive departments and a robust and innovative approach to funding and development
“We are happy to give a commitment that we would work towards those ends.”