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Cycling leader aims to create network of safer routes in city
A NEW network of walking and cycle routes in and out of Leeds city centre could be created over the next 10 years as part of an attempt to stop the city becoming clogged up with traffic.
Richard Brett, the councillor taking the helm at Leeds City Council for the next six months yesterday set out details of what he wants to achieve while in charge.
He is taking over command until November as part of a power sharing agreement between the two joint leaders of the authority.
One of Coun Brett's first priorities is to make it easier for walkers and cyclists to get around Leeds – something he started in 2008 with a pledge to ride to work more often.
Now he wants to begin work on a 10-year project to establish a whole network of walking and cycle routes in and out of the city centre. They would be in between roads – away from traffic – paved, lit during winter, signposted throughout and be designed to be attractive as possible.
Coun Brett says he would like the first route to link the new Leeds Arena to Little London and Chapeltown.
He said about the walking and cycle routes said: "Our city is in danger of becoming clogged up with traffic and in order to reduce congestion we need to get people out of their cars and onto two wheels or two feet.
"But we can't expect them to do that unless we give them an attractive alternative. I've both ridden and walked into work in the past few months and I can see that as a council we need to do more to improve facilities.
"In 10 years I want Leeds to have a network of routes for walkers and cyclists which is the envy of towns and cities across the country."
Coun Brett, who heads the Liberal Democrat group, and Coun Andrew Carter, who is in charge of the Conservative group, share the top job on a rolling six-monthly basis. A second target for the new leader is making life better and easier for disabled people in Leeds.
Coun Brett is promising a review of services the council provides with the aim of trying to find ways of making improvements.
Coun Brett is also keen to champion volunteering. Later this year, he will launch a campaign which will declare 2010 to be a 'year of volunteering' with thousands of extra people encouraged to give up their time for a good cause.
Working with Voluntary Action Leeds, Coun Brett will propose that a new volunteering clearance house is opened in the city centre.
It will match people who can spare their time with organisations, charities and groups who need a helping hand.
The service already exists in Leeds but currently operates just two days a week from an office inside the main city library which it has completely outgrown.
He is hoping to set a target to increase the number of people who volunteer or the amount time people give.
"The good news is that we're not starting from nothing – there is an amazing amount of good work going on across the city and many people donate many hours of their time each year," Coun Brett said.
"But I want to encourage more people to get involved.
"Tragically, as a result of the current economic conditions, some people will find themselves with time on their hands as a result of unemployment.
"There's nothing to stop them using their skills and expertise in a different way, albeit for free.
"For instance, in Leeds there are several thousand mentors who go into our schools to work with young people to boost their learning, confidence and career prospects.
"That's a fantastic way for someone to put something back into their community."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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