Bristol Mayor - what would you like to ask the candidates?

“Bristol Mayoral Candidates -

I agree with with KA12345 that transport should be a top priority. But I sit completely on the other side of the fence from her. I try deal with the 'there's no alternative' issue though.

Living in Bishopston and walking into the centre every day in the poisonous air (seriously), I really want a whole lot LESS cars on main streets, and I want them to be made to drive much slower (ultimately considerately?), allowing children and other non-cyclists to join the bicycle revolution.

To me, the idea of cars zipping around cities is group-elected form of hell. You know ,it would actually be possible to make a city a pleasant place to live and work. If that sounds too bizarre to you, try taking a city break next spring at somewhere like Rotterdam to Valencia. They've been tackling car dominance for several years. Meanwhile we're stuck with 1960s thinking that that 'Traffic in Towns' is wonderful. Sorry, it's just modernist, utilitarian hell.

There are some cities in England (Cambridge, York, Oxford) and many in Europe where driving a car into the centre is just considered dumb thanks to parking charges/enforcement and limited road space. I think we need this thinking here too.

I completely acknowledge that many people are car dependent and living 'o far away to cycle in everyday. Fine, and there should be attractive park and ride schemes. Cars for the rural leg. Indoor terminals and high quality cost-effective public transport (or cycling if they want) for the city leg. Cambridge (population 120,000) has 5 good P/R sites, we (pop 420,000) have 3? What is going on?

The other thing I'd gripe about is rail fares along the M4 corridor. I thought this "M4 corridor" was supposed to be an economic powerhouse but it turns out that I can barely afford to take a high-tech job in Swindon. I'll just say that in West Yorkshire and South Wales commuter fares are subsidized.

Thank you,”

“Despite over £80m of OUR money being spent with long periods of disruption there has been little or no improvements at all in the city's road & transport infrastructure... If anything, it has actually got worse in many areas (Old Market, Fishponds Rd etc etc).

There is an endless war against the motorist, this despite many people simply not being able to get by without use of a car. Public transport to many is just not an option with the lack of routes available, convenience, time and cost involved.

How do you propose to tackle this huge, crucial issue???
Will you employ a common sense approach to this and listen to the public??”

“What is your view on this story?

http://tinyurl.com/dxpbcry”

“There's only one person who has the complete experience along with the drive, the ideas and the passion as well as real direction to be Bristol's first elected mayor. Vote for Dr Jon Rogers http://tinyurl.com/bv2g922

Dr Jon's Transport for Bristol:

My "Transport for Bristol" style plans are the way to dramatically improve Bristol's transport services. They will support cheaper fares, better routes and better integration of services. Our £100m Greater Bristol Metro plans are also moving forward, and of course we have over £200m of Government funding to improve Bristol city region public transport infrastructure.

Transport for London is a strong transport board, chaired by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. It sets the routes and fares for public transport in London. They have had Oyster cards for over a decade. If I am elected mayor then seeking these powers for Bristol will be one of my top priorities.

I am fed up with Bristol having to put up with the poor, inflexible and expensive services provided by First Bus.

At last, Bristol is getting the kind of leadership and funding to produce a congestion busting transport system fit for the 21st Century.

The Government has said that if Bristol chose to have an elected mayor, then additional powers would be given. I am the person to seek such powers.

Dr Jon Rogers, Bristol Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate."”

“What will you promise to get into power before going back on your word?”

“Do you know what "Natch" is?”

“-Have you got any policies?...”

“What have been your three biggest mistakes in life?”

“Do you think it's appropriate that I and 80 other vehicles should be beaten down the Portway, by a lone cyclist that has a whole two mile stretch of bus lane all to himself at three o'clock in the afternoon?”

“What are your top three priorities for Bristol should you become mayor?”