Residents in Solihull are being asked for their views on a major safety overhaul for a key cycling route, with plans for improvements totalling around £500,000.
From Temporary Fixes to Permanent Safety
The focus of the investment is the two-way cycleway on Blossomfield Road, which runs between the Dorchester Road junction and Widney Lane. Initially installed in 2022, the route was later enhanced with better signage, bus stop ramps, and plastic 'wands' to separate cyclists from traffic at junctions.
While council data shows a 41 per cent increase in cycling on the road since the cycleway's introduction, local councillors believe safety worries are still deterring many potential users. They have previously labelled the existing bolt-down 'orca' kerbs and wands as "dangerous," with additional concerns raised about delivery drivers regularly using the lane.
Funding and Proposed Changes
A funding package of £498,204 – drawn from government and the West Midlands Combined Authority – is now proposed to address these issues. The core plan is to remove the current temporary orcas and wands and install traditional, permanent kerbs to create a fully segregated cycle track.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, the council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, stated: "A fully segregated cycle route with kerbs would encourage even greater usage by improving safety for cyclists, whilst providing other benefits such as better access for sweeping, deterring parking in the cycle route, and removing repair costs."
Have Your Say on the Future of Cycling
The local authority has now launched a public consultation, complete with CGI visuals of how the upgraded route would look. Residents can examine the plans and submit feedback until Sunday, 2 February.
The council is aiming to complete the improvement works by a target date of March 2027. All interested parties are encouraged to visit the Solihull Council website to review the proposals and share their opinions on this significant investment in active travel infrastructure.
