Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council are pushing for more and better cycle paths in the borough.

Councillor Eric Howden, who represents Dormanstown, is leading the campaign. A keen cyclist, Eric cycled 350km across Jordan in 2007 to raise over £5000 for children’s charities.

This week the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow approved a policy motion calling a requirement for councils to provide for cyclists in the planning system as well as in the design of all highways and traffic schemes.

The motion also called for integration of the cycle network with rail and bus travel and the creation of high-quality, segregated cycle routes where appropriate.

Cllr Howden fully supported the motion, saying:

“The Labour Council bosses really need to get to grips with cycle routes in the Borough.

“They seem to put cycle paths anywhere in order to tick boxes, with little thought to continuity.

“A prime example is the cycle path next to the trunk road, which does not link up with the A174 Lazenby bypass.

“The cycle paths are also poorly maintained, uneven and full of debris.

“The Lib Dems nationally are right to urge councils to take cycle networks more seriously, and this most certainly includes Redcar & Cleveland.

“I will be raising the issue at the Council in the near future.”