Fernhill Heath to Worcester cycle route among those benefiting from share of £135,500 improvement cash - The Droitwich Standard

Fernhill Heath to Worcester cycle route among those benefiting from share of £135,500 improvement cash

Droitwich Editorial 2nd Jul, 2020 Updated: 2nd Jul, 2020   0

A CASH boost totalling £135,500 has been awarded to Worcestershire County Council as part of a scheme to support cycling and walking routes, including some in Bromsgrove and Droitwich.

The funds from Central Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund target key commuter pathways which need enhancing.

The Redditch to Bromsgrove route will be improved to increase cycling and a revamp will be undertaken on the Fernhill Heath to Blackpole (Worcester) B4536 link, to connect the large residential village with the main employment and retail areas on the north of the city.

Councillor Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with Highways, said: “The County Council wholeheartedly supports active travel, and support all forms of transport.




“Improving our road network goes hand in hand with improving our cycling network, and remains one of our key priorities.

“This funding from Central Government will allow us to continue the progress we’ve already made in this area.”


The funding will also help to create secure bike parking at businesses, education and retail locations across Worcestershire.

These will be placed where no parking currently exists currently, or provision is limited, to enable more people to consider cycling to access local services and facilities.

The funding will also continue the process of digitising Worcestershire’s walking and cycling maps to enable the public to access information and updates about the routes directly from their smart phones or other enabled devices.

And Covid-19 safety signage and waymarking will be introduced to support safe social distancing, whilst improving and supporting a positive visitor experience for Worcestershire’s towns and city centres.

But one cyclist Josh Robinson, who is chairman of the Bromsgrove Liberal Democrats, said while the cash was welcomed it was only half the amount Worcestershire County Council had bid for.

“This is extremely disappointing, the Government asked councils to be ambitious with their plans but it looks like we are one of those unambitious councils that were moaned about.

“We have missed out on thousands of pounds of money to improve walking and cycling in our area because our Conservative led county council has put in such a poor bid.”

Click here for more information on the county council’s cycling scheme.

 

 

 

 

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