Alan Wells, Lib Dems candidate for the Strood North by-election wants to promote the health & environmental benefits of cycling around our towns.

Alan said "As the UK and the Medway economy recovers from the effects of the Covid-19 'lock-down' cycling has an even more important role as a healthy and green method of transport. Around Medway's urban and rural areas, it provides an attractive alternative to car and public transport, enabling social distancing to be fully observed.

Locally, we have called on the Council to have a clear pro-cycling policy by adopting planning policies in locations where there is scope to provide cycling connections. We have also successfully campaigned via questions to council to demarcate safe cycle routes rather than blocking off streets for cycling as in London and Brighton producing complaints from the local residents.

I am strongly in favour cycling as a pollution-free way ahead for the towns and have called for the provision of more secure cycle parking and cycle paths. Better facilities would help more people to reap the benefits - both health and economic - of integrating cycling into their daily routine such as journeys to work, education and shopping.

Congestion and pollution from vehicle emissions is a huge issue on Medway's main roads such as the A2. Giving people a viable and convenient alternative to the private car will help ease congestion and improve air quality. We feel that a holistic approach needs to be taken, to ensure infrastructure for walking and cycling routes is at a consistent standard across Medway and should be considered from the earliest stages of plan making and integrated into the design of the developments. Too many housing developments are built in remote locations with poor public transport, without walking and cycling connections, giving residents little choice but to drive.

We would like to see alongside existing routes, the creation of new routes, with improved access, these could contribute to a wider network of cycling and walking routes, designed to get around the surrounding coastline and connect to what Medway has to offer. Poorly designed and piecemeal walking and cycling routes are unlikely to attract new users and potentially remain unused by people who already choose to walk and cycle locally, so it is important that they are designed consistently and to a high quality.

Cycling remains a great way to get around Kent and Medway, and an amazing way to explore our region's countryside, and be inspired by local cycling routes. Liberal Democrats are calling on Medway Council to deliver a Local Plan which improves the quality of cycle infrastructure. Doing this will aid health and well-being, reduce congestion and pollution."

ENDS

Notes and additional text for Editors:

Alan has been an active member of Medway Liberal Democrats since 2018 and has campaigned in Kent elections for the last 3 years. Alan has previously been a Candidate for River Ward in the 2019 local elections and has been Press Officer for the local party since January 2019.

Alan is a natural, enthusiastic campaigner on a wide range of issues. He has a strong understanding of social justice and campaigned in the our mental health unit campaign. He has been active on a number of our issues, such as defending the environment, homelessness issues and campaigning on air quality issues.

Alan Wells said "I feel privileged to represent the Liberal Democrats for Strood North. I have been working in the ward as a care assistant for 2 years and know the ward very well and I am determined to work hard to represent the residents of the ward"

A vote for Alan will be a vote to:

Improve Air Quality for Strood North & the area

Fight to protect local green spaces from unwanted development

Fight to keep local planning decisions under control of local people

Safer Streets

• Alan has lived locally all his life and works as a care assistant in Frindsbury, Strood.