Solihull residents and commuters are being invited to share their views on a new active travel scheme being developed to increase connectivity, improve safety and enable more walking and cycling for those making journeys between Solihull town centre and Knowle.
The proposed active travel scheme, part of the Solihull Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), will aim to upgrade the currently limited cycling infrastructure between Solihull and Knowle, improving the current route that goes through Brueton Park and follows Warwick Road into the centre of Knowle. The overall aim of the Solihull LCWIP is to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across the borough over the next ten years.
Proposed upgrades include widening the path through Brueton Park, segregating cycle lanes to separate cyclists from vehicles and introducing traffic calming measures to improve safety for all road users. Additional crossings along the route and the resurfacing of existing footways are also planned to help increase safety for pedestrians.
A six-week public consultation on the scheme launches today and will run until Monday 2 December. The consultation material is now available to view on the Council’s dedicated engagement platform, Your Voice Solihull, where residents and commuters along the route are encouraged to find out more and complete a short five-minute survey about the improvement scheme.
To view the consultation materials and take the survey, visit: https://yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/knowle-to-solihull-ats
There will also be two public drop-in sessions where the project team will be available in-person to answer any questions and capture feedback. These sessions will take place at Knowle Library, Chester House, 1667-1669 High Street, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0LL on:
- Saturday 26 October, 10am – 1pm
- Tuesday 12 November, 2pm – 5pm
Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:
“When we put our Solihull Cycling and Walking Strategy and LCWIP together, we identified cycling and walking as important factors in reducing congestion, improving air quality and supporting better physical and mental health. This scheme aims to improve safety for all road users while also encouraging active travel and connecting more people to job, education and leisure opportunities in Solihull and Knowle.
“One of the key policies we laid out in our Solihull Connected transport strategy was to extend our network of cycle infrastructure across the borough. We identified developing high-quality, segregated cycle infrastructure along this vital Solihull to Knowle corridor as a key priority.
“It is important that we offer our residents a range of safe and practical transport options including active travel to join up our local centres. Making cycling and walking journeys easier and safer will improve activity, health and wellbeing for local residents as well as reducing congestion and improving journey time reliability along the route.
“I would encourage all the Solihull residents and commuters who regularly use this route to find out more about the proposed scheme and to help shape its development by taking part in this consultation.”
This proposed scheme has been allocated central government funding, via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). This funding programme aims to deliver transformational change through investments in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in some of England’s largest city regions, including the West Midlands. The release of CRSTS funding will be overseen by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
To receive email updates on this scheme as it develops, sign up to the Stay Connected bulletin by visiting www.solihull.gov.uk/stayconnected and selecting ‘Solihull Cycling and Walking Strategy’.