Huppert Wins Commitment From Government For Safer Cycling

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert has won a commitment from the Prime Minister to make cycling safer and promote it ahead of his Westminster Hall debate tomorrow (Thursday, February 23).

David Cameron claimed that cyclists “take their life in their hands” riding in cities and he praised The Times ‘Cities fit for cycling campaign’ which will be supported by Julian during his debate.

Julian asked Mr Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons: “Will the Prime Minister commit the government to supporting the Times campaign, increase investment in cycling and take much greater steps to promote cycling across the country?”

Mr Cameron replied: “The Times campaign is an excellent campaign and I strongly support what they are trying to do.

“Anyone who had got on a bike, particularly in one of our busier cities knows that they are taking their life in their hands, so much so that we do need to do more to make cycling safer.

“The government is making it easier for councils to install mirrors at junctions, has invested £11 million for training for children and £15 million for better cycle routes and facilities across the country.

“If we want to encourage the growth we have seen in cycling in recent years we have got to get behind a campaign like this.”

Later Julian said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister has given a commitment to make cycling safer.

“This government has gone a long way by investing in cycling but there is still much more that can be done. And there is no better time than in this year of the Olympics to take radical steps to promote cycling as our most efficient form of transport.”

During his debate tomorrow Julian will tell Parliament that for a long time cyclists have despaired at government policy which focuses on safety without improving it.

“With increasingly congested cities, more competition for resources and our health deteriorating - the need for investment in cycling has become more acute,” he says.

“We cannot miss this golden opportunity to create a safe, sustainable transport network. For too long cycling has been utterly undervalued and forced into decline.”

Julian is calling for:

• a substantial Increase in national spend on cycling infrastructure and good planning to ensure cycle facilities are integral to new developments;
• training and education for cyclists and drivers, particularly those driving heavy goods vehicles;
• rail franchise agreements to pay much closer attention to cyclists with secure cycle-parking, showers and proper ramps;
• a review of sentencing and prosecution with respect to accidents involving cyclists, and consider new measures such as proportionate liability;
• devolve powers regarding signage to local authorities as soon as possible.

And Julian will call on companies to play their part by installing showers and lockers which go a long way to promoting cycling which, in turn improves general wellbeing and productivity.

He said the cycle to work scheme works well but it should be extended and tax problems resolved.

“For years cyclists have worked from the bottom up to promote cycling and put it on the national agenda,” he says. “But the government must also do its part and take further action to promote cycling now.”

The full wording of Julian’s question read as follows:

Tomorrow, Members of this House will have the chance to debate the importance of cycling, following the Times 'Cities fit for cycling' campaign.

The Minister for Cycling, the Member for Lewes, has made some welcome announcements and investment, but there is much more still to do.

Will the PM commit the government to supporting the Times campaign, increase investment in cycling and take much greater steps to promote cycling across the country?

Julian’s debate will take place tomorrow (Thursday, February 23) between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

Cambridge MP Urges Prime Minister To Rethink Planning Reforms

MP Julian Huppert has called on Prime Minister, David Cameron to rethink a major shake-up of planning policy to protect the environment.

Julian joined 44 other MPs in a letter to express their fears for the future of the countryside from the planning reform.

“We realise there are some serious problems with the drafting that would make it difficult for the government to realise fully its ambitions for planning reform and to be the ‘greenest ever’,” the letter, which was leaked to the Daily Telegraph, said.

“We all support a simpler system with more local control, but this should not come at the expense of the ability of planning to protect and enhance the environment.”

The letter proposes changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and says the final document should make explicit reference to:

•  The need to use suitable brownfield land for development before green fields in order to prevent unsustainable urban sprawl;
• The intrinsic value of the ordinary, undesignated countryside which is loved so much by the local communities we represent;
• A commitment to genuinely sustainable development that does not prioritise short term economic interests over long term quality of life and wellbeing.

“An effective planning system is central to protecting our rural areas from urban sprawl and inappropriate, sporadic development,” the letter adds.

“We ask you to ensure that the final NPPF enables us to secure the growth and development the nation needs while safeguarding one of our most valuable environmental assets, the English countryside, for future generations.”

Julian said: “It is vitally important that we get this planning document right to make sure that our countryside is given the protection it needs for future generations. Mistakes that we make now will not be easily undone and could impact on our environment for years to come. We need more housing around Cambridge, especially affordable housing. But I believe it is possible to achieve this while also protecting the countryside.”

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert Named MP Of The Month For Cycling Safety Campaign

Politicians and journalists have voted Julian Huppert MP of the Month for his fight to improve cycling safety.

Julian took the title in the leading national political magazine, Total Politics after he joined the Times “Cities Fit for Cycling” campaign and turned it into a successful parliamentary campaign.

The magazine is read by 23,000 MPs, MEPs, peers, political journalists and members of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and Councils.

Julian’s efforts in raising the issue of cycling safety were praised by Transport Minister, Norman Baker which helped him to clinch the title.

Total Politics Editor, Ben Duckworth told readers that Julian received numerous nominations after he led his Westminster Hall debate on cycling safety – one of the best attended ever.

“When you get a minister thanking you, you know you’ve done well and can push for further progress,” he said. “The cycling campaign is not over yet, but for his popular support, Julian Huppert is our MP of the Month.”

Now Julian is asking for a meeting with Prime Minister, David Cameron to follow up on the debate after he gave his support in the Commons recently.

Julian said: “I am delighted to win this title for a campaign which is so important to cyclists across the country. This was clearly demonstrated by the attendance at the debate and the number of cyclists who turned up to the rally beforehand.

“But this is only the beginning. There is so much more that needs to be done if we are to protect cyclists and encourage others to see cycling as a viable means of transport.

“Cycling brings so many benefits and I will continue to push our government to invest in cycling infrastructure and safety measures to make it safer.”

Huppert Pushes Prime Minister To Commit To Lib Dem Policy To Help Poorly Paid

Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert has received the Prime Minister’s commitment to a Liberal Democrat promise to make sure millions of poorly paid people don’t pay income tax.

David Cameron told Julian that he was proud that the low pay of 1.1 million was already free of tax and he was committed to making more progress on this issue.

Julian quizzed Mr Cameron on the Liberal Democrat priority during Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday, February 1) in the House of Commons.

He said: “The Liberal Democrat plan to increase the income tax threshold to £10,000 was on the front page of our manifesto. It will give many working people £700 a year and lift many poorly paid people out of income tax altogether.

“At a time when many working people are struggling to make ends meet, will the Prime Minister move further and faster on this much-needed tax cut?”

Mr Cameron told Julian he was right to raise this issue.

“I am proud of the fact that we have taken 1.1 million people out of tax," he said. Those are some of the lowest paid people in our country and the majority of them are women. We are committed to making more progress during this Parliament with this policy.”

Julian said later: “This is a real commitment from the government to a policy which was at the heart of the Liberal Democrats’ election promises. We made this promise because we knew how so many lower paid people in this country were struggling to make ends meet against an unfair tax system.

“I am delighted that the Prime Minister has recognised the important of this issue and given his personal commitment to make it happen quickly.”