Issue - meetings

Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Councillor Jeff Clarke

A report that asks that Council approves an allocation of £4.749 million from the Capital Investment Fund to the Kenilworth to Leamington Spa Cycling Scheme and its addition to the Capital Programme.

Resolved

That Council approves an allocation of £4.749 million from the Capital Investment Fund to the Kenilworth to Leamington Spa Cycling Scheme and its addition to the Capital Programme.

Councillor Jeff Clarke (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning) moved the recommendation and was seconded by Councillor John Cooke. In proposing the motion Councillor Clarke reminded Council that the cycleway between Kenilworth and Leamington had been long sought by residents and campaigners. Having the funding in place is a major milestone but he added, a number of physical challenges remain to overcome before the route comes into use. The current timescale is for construction to be undertaken in 2021/22.

Members of Council added the following points:

• Warwick District Council, Leamington Town Council and Kenilworth Town Council have expressed their full support for the scheme.

• The project fits well with the declared climate emergency and the need to establish a network of green transport.

• The route will be well used by cyclists and pedestrians. Many will wish to access Warwick University.

• After a long wait Kenilworth secured a new station. The cycleway will be worth waiting for too.

• The Leamington Road (between Kenilworth and Leamington) can be dangerous especially at night.

• The project will be welcomed by Public Health as it encourages people to take exercise.

• There is an urgent need to improve the air quality in Warwick District.

• A cycling strategy that joins up cycle routes in Warwickshire is required.

• Any increase in cycling will assist in reducing traffic levels and congestion. • Modal shift cannot be achieved rapidly. In the Netherlands it took 30 years to develop the cycle network.

• Strategic cycle routes serve a purpose, but local cycle routes should be developed at either end.

• Cycle routes are cheap to develop compared to major road projects.

• The Kenilworth to Leamington project is one of 40 identified routes in Warwickshire. It will be important to press for the others to be progressed.

• The finances for the project have arisen through careful management of the Council’s budget.

• The contribution and advice made by local cycle groups in getting to this stage should be acknowledged.

The Council was reminded that a special Communities OSC is scheduled for the 9 January 2020. The recommendation was put to the vote. It was agreed unanimously

Resolved:

That Council approves an allocation of £4.749 million from the Capital Investment Fund to the Kenilworth to Leamington Spa Cycling Scheme and its addition to the Capital Programme.