Samantha Smith (Conservative)
Accountant and swimmer, Samantha Smith, of Thorpe Road, Longthorpe, works as a finance manager at Westwood-based YourSchoolUniform.com

She said: "Living on Thorpe Road, I appreciate the local traffic problems. If elected, one of my priorities would be to slow traffic that comes zipping post the Fox and Hounds pub as if they were still on the parkway.

"I will work hard to combat closures of Longthorpe and West Town post offices as both are critical to the area due to the make-up of our community.

"The Grange housing development is also high on the list of priorities as I am fully aware of how upset local residents are by the proposal.

"The scheme, as it currently stands, is wholly inappropriate for the Netherton area and needs to be completely revised.

"I would be honoured to receive your support to help make West ward even more of an area to be proud of."

Mohammed Sabir (Labour)
Mohammed Sabir, of Mickle Gate, Longthorpe, previously served as a city councillor for Central ward between 2004 and 2006.

Resident in Peterborough since 1970, Mr Sabir is a member of Peterborough Inter Faith Council and the treasurer of the Pakistani Community Association.

He said: "I want to be elected in West ward because I feel there is a lack of representation at the moment.

"I totally oppose any development of the Grange allotments and I support the people who are campaigning against it. If the three-storey homes are built, it would mean that people living nearby would lose their privacy.

"We do not need more housing because there are already problems with local traffic and the schools are overcrowded.

"If Peterborough wants to be an environment city then we should promote our green space, improve and celebrate our allotments and the open spaces inherited from the new town development corporation."

Muhammad Ikram (Lib Dem)
Standing in his fourth election, Muhammad Ikram, of Hacke Road, Netherton, is a father of three and a member of Peterborough Racial Equality Council.

He said: "I have campaigned against the incinerator in East ward and I believe that we should say 'no' to an incinerator and 'yes' to more recycling.

"I am proud to be the Liberal Democrat candidate for West ward, but feel the residents of that area are being let down by the Conservative administration.

"If elected, I would co-ordinate with local residents on major issues, such as crime, facilities for children and young people, health, education and especially environment-related issues.

"The Tory council is getting rid of our green spaces and giving priority to developers, rather than local residents.

"I will work with the other Liberal Democrat city councillors to improve the facilities and life of all residents in Peterborough."

Ashley Baxter (Green)
Ashley Baxter, of Kesteven Close, Deeping St James, is the director of a sustainable energy centre offering green- living advice to people across three counties.

He said: "I joined the Green Party in 1995 because it was the only party that reflected my passion for social justice and environmental improvement.

"Despite what the other parties claim about their green credentials, they still have blind faith in the free market.

"The Greens turn conventional thinking on its head and say that relentless consumerism is actually bad for our world, our country and our quality of life.

"Take for example the allotment issue in West ward. Is the city really going to benefit if we sacrifice community open space for a few more houses?

"I want the city council to be more imaginative, to lead by example, and to make 'building the UK's environment capital' more than just a marketing slogan."

Bob Burke (Independent)
Former Independent group leader Bob Burke lost his Werrington South seat last May, ending a 35-year political career.

Mr Burke, of Enfield Gardens, Netherton, was granted the Freedom of the City in March in recognition of his long-service in Peterborough.

He said: "Fortunately, I'm in the best of health, have plenty of time and just love helping and meeting people. I do not want to put my feet up and retire.

"In West ward, it seems nothing gets done and many people have never met nor heard from their local councillors.

"The main concern in the ward is the proposed development of the Grange allotments, which will have a massive impact for every man, woman and child, and future generations to come.

"The lack of youth facilities, community funding not being spent, footpath conditions, graffiti, dog fouling, flytipping and the lack of street cleansing are also of great concern."

Full coverage: Peterborough City Council elections 2008 - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/election2008