LONG-time campaigners for a transformative cycle route between Kenilworth and Leamington are celebrating construction getting under way this month.
K2L, as the cycle route is dubbed, was given the final sign off by Warwickshire County Council’s transport portfolio holder Coun Wallace Redford on January 13.
And the first phase of construction will take the route from the top of Leamington’s Parade to the edge of the town, along a mix of quiet streets, segregated cycle tracks and sections of shared footway.
The route is one of the first to be delivered in the county since more demanding standards for cycle route design were published by central Government in 2020, known as ‘LTN 1/20’.
Recently elected chair of Cycleways, Susan Rasmussen, said: “It is great to see that work is finally getting under way but we are still a long way off this being a complete route between the two towns.
Nonetheless, the first phase will provide a great opportunity for those in the north of the town to travel sustainably into the town centre, creating healthier, greener and cleaner streets for all.
“As a voluntary organisation, Cycleways campaigns for high-quality cycle infrastructure that is suitable for all ages and abilities. We will continue to push for the route to be completed in full, as it is only then that the full benefits will be realised. We have a long-term vision for a Visionary Cycle Network that will offer the same opportunity to all our towns’ residents.”
Vice Chair of Cycleways, Tony Lewenz, added: “Cycleways was set up in 1995 and ever since has pushed for K2L as its top priority. Not just our members, but the public as a whole, want to see this route completed – time and again improved cycle routes top consultations on how we should improve people’s lives. People have been talking about this route since 1986 so it is exciting that we may finally see spades in the ground.”
Construction of this first phase of the route is expected to take place from January until April, with the most significant transformation taking place along Kenilworth Road.
This will see the construction of a fully segregated two-way cycle track along much of the route and the introduction of priority side road crossings reflecting the recent updates to the Highway Code.
