THE FIRST stage of the ambitious new cycle link between Kenilworth and Leamington is complete.
Section 1a of the new cycle route, known as K2L, links Leamington town centre and North Leamington, and council chiefs were out in force to celebrate the milestone on Friday (April 26).
Construction work on this phase of the scheme began in January 2023 and has included a pedestrian and cyclist crossing refuge on Clarendon Avenue, a signed on-road cycle route along Beauchamp Road and Binswood Avenue., a segregated cycle track along the eastern side of the A452 Kenilworth Road and an ugrade of the pedestrian crossings to combined pedestrian and cycle crossings.
Other works have included a continuous footway/cycle track crossing at Woodcote Road east, priority crossing for pedestrians and cyclists across Cloister Crofts, a crossing refuge between Cloister Crofts and Northumberland Road and an extension of the parking restrictions on both sides of Kenilworth Road.
Section 1a of the K2L Cycle Route has been jointly funded by the government’s Getting Building Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Warwickshire County Council and Active Travel England.
WCC’s transport spokesperson Coun Jan Matecki said: “It’s exciting to see that this route is now open for use and to recognise the benefits it offers for active travel, in providing more space and greater priority for walking, wheeling and cycling, improving safety at crossing points on busy roads and reducing pavement parking.
“However, we are aware that this is just one part of our countywide plans for active travel infrastructure and the first section of the longer K2L project. Next stages will be the extension of the K2L route along the A452 to Blackdown and Bericote.
“Alongside further works, we will continue to review Section 1a and we welcome any and all feedback from residents and visitors about the new facilities.”
Design work is underway for all sections of the 5km route, with further funding secured from WCC, Active Travel England and developers.
Further details of the Kenilworth to Leamington Cycle Route are available at https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycling/cycle-route-schemes-consultation/6