OTLEY Green Party has selected six candidates for the Otley Town Council elections on May 4.

Two candidates will stand in both Danefield and Manor wards, with one each for West Chevin and Ashfield wards.

Mick Bradley, existing town councillor, said: “All Green candidates will seek to protect both the character and heritage of Otley while taking all opportunities to create a better town. Tackling the threats posed by climate change and reversing the loss of nature means action now at all levels from the town council upwards.”

Standing in Danefield along with Mick Bradley will be Sue Stepan. Sue was born in Otley and has lived here most of her life. She said: “I want to restore a reliable bus service around the Cambridges to allow elderly residents to get into town to shop and provide new benches on popular routes into town allowing more residents to walk but have a rest on the way!”

In the town centre Manor Ward candidates are David Mitchell and Charlotte Hunt. Who say they would: “seek to reduce traffic congestion allowing both residents and visitors a more relaxed atmosphere to spend longer in local shops and cafes. Inspired by the Weston Woods community buy out, why not a community purchase of the Methodist Church which could replace the sad loss of the Civic Centre?”

Tamara Weatherhead has lived in Otley for over 18 years and as a resident in West Chevin she would, if elected, want to improve local amenities in the Bradford Road area including the new community orchard and Grove Hill Park. She said: “We need a safer crossing at foot of West Chevin Road and to improve footpath surfaces which can be hazardous for both pedestrians and mobility scooter together with more regular and reliable bus services into town.”

Nicola James will again be standing in Ashfield; she is concerned to support and extend the use of Weston Social Club and see improvements to Weston Lane FC building and adjacent playground. She added: “I also want to support residents seeking to improve home insulation, reducing energy use and size of bills and find imaginative ways of generating energy locally for use. I would actively seek a suitable site for new allotments north of the river to grow local food."

Mick Bradley is also the Green candidate for Otley and Yeadon Leeds City Council seat. He said: “I would like to thank everyone who has voted for me in the past eight years. A Green Voice is even more important than ever with the threats to green spaces. It’s time for a change and fresh energy and ideas for Otley and Yeadon. Just criticising Labour doesn’t tackle the urgent issues facing the city.

"My top priorities would be: to improve all local transport networks, including a reliable connecting bus service to Menston railway station; using the Leeds Local Plan Update to require an East of Otley development to be low carbon and affordable whilst protecting nature.”