The engagement of this project has ended
Solihull Active TravelGet project news
Do you want to receive an email when news items are posted?
Latest news
Stay involved in the discussion. Keep up to date with the latest news and share it with your fellow community members.
Green light for new cycle lanes in Solihull
On the 8 July 2021 at the CPH Environment and Infrastructure Decision Session, approval was granted to progress with the construction of the three brand new cycle lanes.
You can view the routes taken forward here:
Final week to have your say!
Consultation ends on 22 March
Over the past few weeks we've had fantastic levels of response to the consultation. Thank you to everyone who's shared their feedback so far. If you haven't yet, don't worry - you can get involved by visiting https://solihullactivetravel.commonplace.is/ where you can read up on the schemes, view the plans and share your thoughts.
The three new temporary cycle lanes proposed are Blossomfield Road to Solihull Town Centre, Knowle High Street to Solihull Town Centre and Meriden to Millisons Wood.
The aim of these temporary cycle lanes is to get more people out and about on bikes, increasing their confidence to cycle safely whilst at the same time benefiting the environment. Recent consultation told us that safety concerns are one of the key barriers to taking up cycling. The high quality segregated cycle provision that we plan to introduce is designed with safety in mind and makes use of and improves existing road space where possible.
We recently added an interactive map feature where you can drop a pin along any of three routes a leave a more specific comment there.
We hope to hear from you soon!
New interactive map now added to Solihull’s Commonplace
After listening to feedback we’ve added a new feature where you can drop a pin on a location of your choosing and let us know how we can improve the cycling lanes at that location.
To view the map visit https://solihullactivetravel.commonplace.is/ and click on the map. Look in the top right corner for the ‘Have your say’ icon and you’ll then be able to drop your pin and add your comment. Thank you for all the feedback so far, we’ve been really impressed with the level of response we’ve received. By adding this tool, we are hoping to gather data which makes it easier for us to specifically see which part of the route your comment refers to. For more information on each of the three routes and to comment on the entirety of each route, you can still click on each of the three project tiles.
Solihull Council launches consultation on three new temporary cycle lanes
In a move to encourage more people to embrace active travel, the Council has shared its plans for three proposed temporary cycle lanes and invited residents to share their feedback. Residents can view the plans and find out more information by visiting the online engagement platform at https://solihullactivetravel.commonplace.is/. The interactive website allows users to evaluate the proposals by answering questions and leaving comments. The consultation will run between 22 February until 22 March.
The three new temporary cycle lanes proposed are:
This programme was made possible by the Active Travel Fund, following the Department for Transport grant to Transport for West Midlands, part of West Midlands Combined Authority. Announced in November 2020, the Active Travel Fund continues on the momentum gained through the Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) introduced earlier in 2020 which implemented temporary schemes to support the 2m social distancing requirements on some of Solihull’s busiest routes. The Active Travel Fund removes the ‘emergency’ element of the EATF programme and seeks to deliver high quality cycle provision including temporary segregated cycle lanes. The fund will give people greater opportunities to choose cycling for their day-to-day journeys, as part of wider government plans to boost active travel.
The routes put forward as part of the Active Travel Fund have been selected to support the Cycling Network Plan outlined in Solihull’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. The routes connecting Dickens Heath and Knowle into the town centre will make use of and improve existing space. Evidence gathered from recent consultation on the Council’s Cycling and Walking Strategy identified safety as a key barrier to cycling. The introduction of high quality segregated cycle provision aims to address safety issues and enable more people to take up cycling. During the consultation there was a strong preference (76% of participants) for segregated cycle routes and the three proposed temporary routes reflect this. National data has also shown a lack of safe cycle storage as a barrier to cycling for commuter and retail journeys. This fund will provide an opportunity to improve cycle storage provision across the borough.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment & Highways said:
“It’s fantastic to learn more about these three exciting projects which further encourage everyone to cycle with confidence around the Borough. By providing residents with high quality cycle infrastructure, we are making active travel a safer and more attractive option. Encouraging sustainable travel is one of our key objectives in achieving net zero emissions across the Borough by 2041.
“It’s great to see the funding secured as part of the West Midlands Active Travel Fund being put to good use. This level of investment will bring significant health and well-being benefits for the residents of Solihull. I’d encourage all of those interested in cycling, whether it’s for leisure, fitness or commuting to learn more about the proposals and share their feedback as part of this consultation”.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said:
“Since the West Midlands was awarded £13m a part of the Government’s active travel grant in November 2020, it’s great to see the proposed schemes coming to life and being put forward for consultation.
“I’m delighted to see proposals being developed for three new temporary cycle lanes in Solihull, which have the real potential to encourage residents to get back on their bikes and cycle with confidence.
“By introducing high quality segregated cycle lanes, the Active Travel Fund will provide Solihull residents with a sustainable travel network between key locations in the Borough, as well as delivering well-known health and well-being benefits associated with cycling”.
“These are exciting times for cyclists in the borough, and I can’t wait to be able to bring our Cycle Hire scheme to the town in the coming months”.
Residents can also choose to get in touch via post by writing to the council:
Temporary Cycle Lanes Consultation
Solihull Council
Economy & Infrastructure Directorate
Council House
Manor Square
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 3QB
Solihull Council consults on its Cycling and Walking Strategy
The strategy sets the borough’s ambitious vision to make cycling and walking the most convenient mode of travel for local journeys. It presents the Council’s overall approach to active travel in the borough, how cycling and walking infrastructure will be delivered and how to ensure new developments cater for cycling and walking. As part of the strategy, Solihull Council is also producing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The Solihull LCWIP will enable a long-term approach to develop a local cycling and walking network within the borough. The overall aim of the Solihull LCWIP will be to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across Solihull over the next 10 years.
The consultation period for Solihull’s Cycling and Walking Strategy remains open until 21 December, having launched on 9 November. You can take part by joining a webinar with Council officers and have the opportunity to ask questions and share your views. The next session is on Thursday 10 December (6-7.30pm) and you can register here. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6261610279750264335?source=Commonplace . Alternatively you can provide feedback by emailing cyclingandwalking@solihull.gov.uk. For further information please visit the Cycling and Walking Strategy webpage.
September 2020 Update
On the 1st September we reviewed all of the temporary measures which have been in place along with the feedback collected over the last 2 months. As a result a number of changes to the measures have been introduced, including the removal of measures at Bickenhill Lane and Lode Lane and the reduction of measures at Station Road and Stratford Road.
Moving forward we will review the remaining measures on a 2 weekly basis and respond to any emerging issues as schools return and network usage increases. A further update on the remaining measures will then be taken to the Environment and Transport cabinet decision making session on the 25th November 2020.
Further information on all of the changes which have been made can be found here: http://eservices.solihull.gov.uk/mgInternet/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=36841