Ahead of the upcoming general election, the Advertiser asked readers to share questions they would like answering by candidates vying to become their next MP.
Sherwood Forest candidates were asked how they would improve the area’s road network and the safety of major roads such as the A1.
Here are their responses, in alphabetical order:
David Paul Dobbie — Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats in Hucknall and elsewhere have called for 20mph speed limits on residential side streets. In 2022 a Nottinghamshire County Council report called for more 20mph limits, citing “significant health and safety benefits to the public”, but little progress has been made since then. Everybody is aware of the issue of potholes. Let’s have a bit less squabbling between politicians and a lot more effort put into fixing our roads, pavements and paths.
I think improvement on the A614 is a greater benefit to this constituency than more effort always directed to the A1 and bigger roads.
Helen Rose O'Hare — Reform UK
I will work to improve our transport links for our constituents. I want less road works, waste and delays. Reform UK are going to launch a national database for councils, contractors, government and utilities to ensure coordination of projects. I will work with the agencies involved to make sure all required improvements are delivered and I will work hard to secure the funding required to do this.
The A1 is used by us all and we need to make sure that safety is our top priority.
Mark Steven Spencer — Conservative
The £34million for the A614 and A6097, the £5million for Mickledale Lane Junction and the £500million for the A46 bypass will make a huge difference to our roads. We also need to see more of our highway network repaired.
The Government has allocated tens of millions of pounds in extra funding to councils, and £1.5billion to the East Midlands Mayor for a transport fund. We need the Mayor to do as she said she would in the run up to her election and release funds to get the repairs done.
With the upgrades on the surrounding network and the new bypass, this will help improve the A1 and the surrounding roads. We need to ensure this funding in spent on our local roads and not withdrawn by a Labour Government and so I ask for your support on July 4.
Jeremy Paul Spry — Independent
We have a pretty good “road network” in our constituency.
We have the A1 close at hand, but it is far enough away from most towns and villages so as not to cause too many issues with noise pollution, and air pollution, or massive traffic holdups. Fixing our road surfaces is a priority.
However, “safety of the A1”, needs strict measures to be taken. I notice when I drive a section of the A1 that has a 50 MPH speed restriction, that the traffic is calmer and I feel safer on this stretch of the A1. I also notice that restricting LGV vehicles to the inside lane only on some sections of the A1 has also had a positive effect. I would like to see these traffic calming schemes extended.
These schemes have worked wonders on many Motorways, Including the M1 and the A1M. But bad driving is still the major issue.
Lee Waters — Independent
The safety of the A1 is major concern and it is criminal that this has not been resolved despite six deaths on the A1 between January 2020 and June 2023. There have been too many broken promises and the reality is that Conservative MPs like Mark Spencer and Robert Jenrick have washed their hands of this and people are sick of broken promises.
If elected as your new Independent MP, improving safety on the A1 will be a top priority including improving safety technology, CCTV and SOS phones.
The state of our highways is a major problem and no one fights harder than Independents to fix our broken roads and pavements — they are a disgrace and if elected, I will fight to legislate for minimum road repair standards.
Michelle Welsh — Labour
As your MP roads will become safer and more driver friendly.
Fixing Potholes: Labour has pledged to repair up to one million potholes a year in England, I will make sure this constituency gets its fair share of funding. Labour will provide multi-year funding settlements to local councils to ensure consistent and effective road maintenance.
A new Road Safety Framework and will be introduced and a new ‘Strategic Framework for Road Safety’ to replace the outdated one. This framework aims to improve pedestrian safety and overall road conditions on our local roads.
Public Transport Support: Labour plans to support public transport by creating new local bus routes and introducing a publicly owned rail service. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion and make roads safer.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: Labour will accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle chargers across the country, making it easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
No response was received from Green Party candidate Sheila Greatrex-White.
