THE LONGEST greenway in Warwickshire is set for upgrades.
Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Cabinet has approved plans to deliver the next stage of improvements to the Lias Line – a walking, wheeling and cycling route linking Leamington and Rugby.
Improvements to a quarter-mile section of the route between Oxford Road and Birdingbury Road near Rugby will be funded by a £322,700 grant from the government’s Active Travel Fund.
The existing single-track path will be widened to a three-metre-wide multi-user greenway with a 1.5-metre trotting strip for equestrians and a new stepped access with wheeling ramp at Birdingbury Road.
It forms part of a wider programme of investment to create a traffic-free leisure and utility route between Leamington and Rugby.
The Lias Line improvements are being delivered by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust – the charity formerly known as Sustrans, which owns and manages the Lias Line – with completion expected in 2026.
WCC’s Transport and Planning spokesperson Coun Jennifer Warren said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust to enhance the Lias Line for residents and visitors.
“These improvements will make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone while helping to connect our towns and villages.”
She said active travel routes like the Lias Line improved health and supported the rural economy by attracting visitors to local cafés, pubs, and businesses.
She added: “This latest investment underlines our commitment to support active travel projects that deliver benefits for all of the residents of Warwickshire.”
The Lias Line forms part of the National Cycle Network and will connect with the WCC-owned Offchurch Greenway, adding to a growing network of traffic-free routes across the county.
Previous improvements have upgraded more than four miles of the route, funded through earlier rounds of the Active Travel Fund and funding for the National Cycle Network.
