PLANS to widen paths and convert them into shared use have been revealed by Solihull Council.
The council wants to carry out work on nine routes in the borough ‘to strengthen links between open spaces, encourage wildlife to flourish and help people to walk, cycle and connect with nature.’
The proposed routes for shared use are in Bickenhill, Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Elmdon, Kingshurst/Fordbridge, Silhill and St Alphege.
The work – which involves widening them up to three metres and converting them to shared use for walkers and cyclists – form part of the £16.8 million Wildlife Ways project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Wildlife Ways has been responsible for planting hundreds of trees and millions of bulbs and flowers across the borough to support local wildlife and the work on the routes support the overall aim to make the borough greener.
The new shared routes will not be segregated but have been designed to safely accommodate walkers and cyclists.
Signage will be installed at regular intervals over the next few months to clearly indicate shared use status and ensure walkers and cyclists use them safely with consideration for and awareness of each other.
The council said the shared routes will help to get more people walking and cycling in the borough and will improve health and wellbeing.
This work will be done under Section 66(4) and Section 65(1) of the Highways Act 1980.
Routes which go through parks will be subject to a separate consultation in the next two months.
These included Emdon Park and Babbs Mill.
All the plans can be viewed at https://wildlifeways.co.uk/resources/shareduse
Anyone who wants to comment on the proposed routes should write to Solihull Council’s Highways Department at the Council House, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3QT by January 28 or email [email protected]
