WORK has started on a 6km cycleway running from the east of the city that will provide a boost to sustainable travel options in the region, enabling more people to cycle on their journeys.
The segregated cycle route will allow people to safely travel by bike from the city centre to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire via the Binley Business Park on Harry Weston Road.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, who is responsible for climate change, and Coun Patricia Hetherton, who has responsibility for highways in Coventry, were joined by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Adam Tranter, West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner, recently to take a look at the initial work that has started on the cycleway.
It is designed to enable more of the thousands of people who live, work and study along this busy route to swap their car for a bike on local journeys – easing congestion, improving air quality and reducing journey times.
Coun Patricia Hetherton, said: “People always say to me that concerns about other traffic puts them off cycling.
“That’s why this is great news because the Binley Cycleway will provide a safe segregated route for cyclists. This offers an excellent solution.”
Coun Jim O’Boyle added: “We are making a really co-ordinated effort to provide more sustainable transport choices in the city.
“This cycleway is more evidence that we want to see long term improvements to our infrastructure using new technology, innovation and new road designs that accommodate all travel options.”
The cycleway to the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire will be completed in March 2023.
It will form part of the 500-mile Starley Network, being delivered across the region.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who chairs the WMCA Board, said: “As safety is a key barrier preventing more people cycling along some of our busier roads, we know we need new, safe cycleways to convince more people to leave the car at home. The Binley Cycleway is a wonderful example of this in action and work is under way right now to get this delivered.”
