ROAD closures, cycle lanes, wider pavements and bike share schemes are among measures planned in Coventry to encourage more people to cycle and walk around the city.
Working with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), Coventry City Council is planning to introduce ‘active travel’ schemes over the summer months.
The package forms part of the response to Covid-19 travel guidance.
The Department for Transport has set aside £17.2 million for such measures across the West Midlands – the first £3.4 million of which is being directed towards measures to be implemented immediately in response to the easing of lockdown restrictions.
The council expects to receive around £330,000 as part of this first phase, which would see the following measures put in place over the next two months:
These include –
• A pop-up cycle lane from Coventry City Centre to the Canal Basin
• Road closures to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists within the city centre
• A pop-up cycle lane on Stoney Stanton Road to help people traveling to the Health Centre and to the city centre
• Measures on Foleshill Road to help with social distancing outside the shops
Funds have also been set aside to give employers across the region cycle racks for staff, provide cycle training and to help people to repair and restore old or damaged bikes so they can get back on their bike safely.
Proposals for the second wave of active travel measures are being drawn up for delivery later in the year, the council says.
The council is also developing longer term proposals for cycle routes and paths, including a segregated cycle route to Coundon, on which consultation has started and a proposed route to the hospital via Binley Road.
The local authority adds it is aiming to bring forward these existing plans for early delivery as well as embarking on a big summer campaign to boost active travel.
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “We have a range of projects underway to encourage more cycling and walking. We are consulting on a cycleway from Coundon to and from the city centre and have other plans in place.
“Safety fears are an obstacle for people who may be undecided about cycling. We want to create pop-up lanes on a temporary basis over the summer to give people the chance to cycle more and gain confidence.”
A cycleway will also be developed on Binley Road as part of funding that had already been earmarked for Coventry, the council says. A scheme is also being developed for the Charterhouse Loop Line.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, added: “We want to help businesses and the economy to begin to rebuild itself and active travel forms a part of this strategy.”
“We know that the impact of Covid-19 continues and the more we can adapt and take on board the safety guidance we can enable people to choose other ways to travel to work and feel more connected. We need to help get the balance right.
“If the public and businesses are supportive of the temporary measures work they may become permanent features of the city’s transport network – which is good for air quality in the city.”
