Mid Bedfordshire by-election: Candidates asked about access and air quality

In the last of our Mid Bedfordshire by-election previews, voters ask the candidates about disabled access and air quality.

A total of 13 candidates will stand to replace Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, with voting taking place on Thursday, 19 October.

Read about them here.

Steven Wilson, 48, from Shefford, has used a wheelchair for 12 years.

"All the High Street shops have doorsteps: we've got no bank, no cashpoint and the Post Office has steps in the middle - so that's inaccessible. The footpaths to the doctors' surgery are virtually impassable," he says.

His question for the candidates is: "What will you do to improve wheelchair access?"

Alistair Strathern (Labour): "I would work cross-party with the local council as well as business owners, charities and local services to find solutions. It is important that everyone is made to feel welcome in our towns and villages."

Emma Holland-Lindsay (Liberal Democrat): "Our shops and local facilities must be properly accessible and I will use all my expertise and influence to push for improvements. If elected I will fight to safeguard the facilities we have in the High Street and push for local access to vital services like banking and post offices."

Festus Akinbusoye (Conservative): "I will hold local leaders to account to improve accessibility and ensure everyone feels able to visit, shop and work in our local high streets."

Dave Holland (Reform UK): "In a cost-of-living crisis it is challenging to legislate business into making those investments, as it may lead to the business closing instead of investing in accessibility. We currently don't have a party policy on wheelchair access but I have pushed head office on the matter."

Cade Sibley (Green Party): "We need to rethink our high streets and how people get around. We need to redesign them so they are open and accessible to everyone. In that way we can start to build communities again."

Gareth Mackey (Independent): "I want to see government dedicate itself to making our town centres truly accessible. This means passing legislation to ensure that all public transport and railway stations are fully accessible to all people."

Alan Victor (True and Fair Party): "As local MP I would work with local disability groups to review access to services and physical locations as a matter of priority."

Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): "This is a council issue. I would make sure the council addresses the issue."

Chris Rooney (Mainstream): "You need to get together with other wheelchair users to put pressure on the relevant premises to make them realise your custom is financially important to them."

Ann Kelly (Monster Raving Loony Party): "I would ask the council for more dropped kerbs and the buildings would have to supply ramps at all times."

Antonio Vitiello (English Democrats): "As a disabled person myself I am very familiar with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, and I would be more than happy to assist and fight your case."

Prince Ankit Love, Emperor of India (Independent): "Our innovators can easily install rails or build new-style ramps. It will be beneficial for both wheelchair citizens as well as young families with prams."

Alberto Thomas (Heritage Party): "There is access at the supermarket Morrisons, who should have an ATM for withdrawing cash. There is also disabled access at the Shefford Health Centre, Lloyds Pharmacy, the paper shop, Wrest Park and Langdon garden centre."

Sian Mackey, 55, from Shefford, is concerned about pollution caused by idling vehicles around schools.

"Years ago, we were told there was going to be a dedicated access road for coaches and buses going to and from the Samuel Whitbread Academy. It hasn't materialised and as a result we have such low air quality on the end of Clifton Road where the buses sit idling," she says.

"Is anyone going to do anything about it?"

Festus Akinbusoye: "If fortunate enough to be elected as your MP, I will hold local leaders to account and ensure this is delivered as quickly as possible."

Alistair Strathern: "I'd work with residents to ensure we put a stop to idling where it's causing problems and champion the investment in road infrastructure across our towns and villages."

Emma Holland-Lindsay: "It shouldn't be right that local residents have been ignored on this. As I sit on Central Bedfordshire Council I will take this matter up and write to the leader of the council."

Dave Holland: "I would be happy to get involved and make sure buses turn off their engines as a short term improvement while we investigate the creation of the promised access road."

Cade Sibley: "We need clean fuelled public transport, safe routes opened up for cycling and walking and every encouragement for people to leave their cars at home."

Gareth Mackey: "We will look at how funding can be acquired to keep our communities sustainable and improve living conditions with a focus on the environment."

Sid Cordle: "This is a matter for Central Bedfordshire Council. I would make sure it was in the council budget and implemented."

Alan Victor: "Air quality is vital to our health and life chances for our children. I will visit this area in the coming weeks to see how I can help whether or not I am elected."

Ann Kelly: "I'd stop all the idling. I would also look into the problem as I would be behind constituents 100%."

Alberto Thomas: "I would need to investigate how old buses are because (modern ones) are ULEZ-compliant therefore emissions should be negligible."

Prince Ankit Love, Emperor of India: "If the project was financed and did not materialise, then money should be claimed back and the person responsible face charges. The Clifton Road project should be completed immediately."

Chris Rooney: "For the access road, all you can do is find a written record of when this was promised then you have a name for taking responsibility. The bus companies should be forcing their drivers to switch the engines off while they wait."

Antonio Vitiello: "If elected as MP I will take on this issue."

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