Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council is investing almost £12,000 in a Cycle Network Plan as part of a long-term initiative to make cycling a more appealing and safer choice for people in the town.

Following government’s Covid-19 lockdown, public transport and car use dropped across the country and many people turned to their bicycles to make essential trips or for daily exercise.

The popularity of cycling during lockdown has led to renewed momentum to make cycling a sustainable and safe option for commuters, families, and shoppers, especially as road traffic begins to return to pre-lockdown levels.

To help make the case for future investment, the Town Council has commissioned Urban Movement, the transport consultants behind the national exemplar ‘Beelines’ scheme in Greater Manchester, to develop a Cycle Network Plan for the town.

In consultation with residents, cycling clubs, active travel groups and Birmingham City Council, the plan will identify junctions, pinch points and main roads that act as deterrents to cycling in Sutton Coldfield and recommend infrastructure improvements to these.

The recommendations of the Cycle Network Plan will be complete by mid-August and will be submitted to Birmingham City Council for possible inclusion in the Emergency Active Travel Fund, which was announced by the Department for Transport in May to address the impact of Covid-19 and is managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Councillor Clare Horrocks, chair of the Planning and Highways Committee, said: “The Town Council is truly committed to facilitating active and sustainable travel options across the Royal Town. A Cycle Network Plan will help us to achieve this through recommending concrete proposals to make cycling a safer, more viable and attractive travel choice for our residents.

"By encouraging investment in local cycling infrastructure, the Town Council is supporting residents to improve their health and wellbeing, whilst also paving the way for future cycle hire schemes in the town.”

Work on the Cycle Network Plan will also support broader moves towards developing Sutton Coldfield as a ’15-minute city’ where residents can find services, leisure activities and communal facilities within fifteen minutes of their front door by bike or on foot. This model retains spending locally, reduces congestion and air particle pollution, and will help continue to make Sutton Coldfield a great place to live, work, visit and explore.