Following an extensive consultation last summer about the creation of new active travel routes for pedestrians and cyclists, work to widen an existing footpath to create a new route from Monkspath to Blythe Valley Park will start on Monday 5 June. The work follows the publication of a report in October and continued engagement with local residents and businesses.
The new route between Blythe Valley Park (BVP) – home to 3,500 employees - and Monkspath aims to improve opportunities for active travel by creating a safe and accessible route for walking and cycling. It will incorporate the eastern side of the A34 (Stratford Road) from Huskisson Way to Monkspath Hall Road, using the current verge space and will not affect the current road layout. New pedestrian crossings will also be included.
The route will connect with existing and recently constructed walking and cycling schemes such as Wildlife Ways and will support the local cycling and walking infrastructure plan. It will be funded through contributions from a Section 106 agreement with IM Properties who are the developers of Blythe Valley Park.
Alongside the creation of the walking and cycling route, road resurfacing will take place overnight – northbound 17 – 26 July and southbound 27 July – 7 August.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Cllr Ken Hawkins, said: “We have listened to motorists, residents and local businesses and we will be starting this new route for cyclists and pedestrians on 5 June.
“Creating new safe and practical routes, like this one, between the places people live and work provides residents with more choice when it comes to planning journeys and getting around.
“Creating more healthy ways to travel also reduces air pollution and carbon emissions and will help the borough to achieve its zero carbon ambitions.”
People can feed back to the Highways and Infrastructure team about the works at highways@solihull.gov.uk
The report can be seen at - https://eservices.solihull.gov.uk/mgInternet/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=682&MId=9372&Ver=4