Pop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and bike share schemes are among the measures being planned in Coventry after the city council received £330,000 from the UK government’s active travel fund.
Working with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), Coventry City Council is planning to introduce several schemes over the summer, responding to additional demand for walking and cycling within the city.
The package forms part of the local response to Covid-19 travel guidance.
According to the council, a recent survey found a 40% increase in cycling to work and walking to shops in Coventry.
It also found that local people intend to keep walking and cycle more than they used to, with 17% expecting to cycle more and 47% expecting to walk more than they did before Covid-19.
The Department for Transport has set aside £17.2m for such measures across the West Midlands – the first £3.4m of which is being directed towards measures to be implemented immediately in response to the easing of lockdown restrictions.
The council said it 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:
• 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 shops
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, said: “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.”
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.
Proposals for a second wave of active travel measures are being drawn up for delivery later in the year.
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 council said it is aiming to bring forward these existing plans for early delivery as well as embarking on a summer campaign to boost active travel.
Read more from CiTTi
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/stockport-council-awarded-walking-and-cycling-grant/
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/local-authorities-given-new-powers-to-keep-cyclists-safe/
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/southampton-announces-green-transport-recovery-plan/
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/oxford-businesses-respond-to-measures-to-improve-social-distancing-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists/
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/islington-council-to-create-people-friendly-streets/
