FAQs

The proposed scheme will aim to encourage and enable more walking and cycling journeys between the Knowle Village Centre and Solihull Town Centre. Current early designs for the scheme proposes a mix of shared paths, on-road cycling and fully segregated cycle route between the two centres. The design also includes improvements to crossings and resurfacing existing footways.

The proposed scheme aims to make best use of the existing Council owned land within the highway boundary. The key features of the proposed scheme are:

• Widen the existing path through Brueton Park to allow pedestrians and cyclists to comfortably share the path.

• Create parking bays adjacent to Brueton Park to address illegal kerbside parking. 

• Introduce traffic calming measures (build outs, raised junctions and reduced corner radii), 20mph limit and bi-directional cycle lane on Warwick Road to provide a safe route for cyclists.

• Provide additional crossing points along the route, where required.

• Resurface existing footways.

This proposed scheme has been allocated central government funding, via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). This funding programme aims to deliver transformational change through investments in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in some of England’s largest city regions, including the West Midlands. Under this programme, the scheme has an indicative funding allocation of £8 million for delivery.

Officers at the Council are in the process of developing a business case for the scheme (presenting costs and benefits) and the funding will be unlocked following approval of the relevant documents.

This funding has been allocated for sustainable transport schemes and cannot be used for other purposes.

We anticipate that construction could start in 2026 with completion in 2027.

The proposals have been developed to conform with the Government’s latest guidance on cycling (LTN 1/20) where possible. As shown in the visualisations, shared use paths, quiet residential roads and a 2.5m wide two-way cycle path will be provided in places, with a 0.3m buffer in place to segregate cyclists from vehicle traffic, improving safety. Improved crossings for pedestrians and cyclists along the route have also been proposed.

The Cycling and Walking Strategy is a key step in our approach to accommodate growth in travel demand on our network while maintaining Solihull’s special character.

As part of the strategy, we have also produced a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). LCWIPs are a new Government approach to identify cycling and walking improvements required at a local level - proposals for a Knowle to Solihull town centre route were identified in the Solihull LCWIP when it was published in March 2021.

The Solihull LCWIP will enable a long-term approach to develop a local cycling and walking network within the borough. The overall aim of the Solihull LCWIP is to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across the borough over the next 10 years.

In 2023, the Council published a refresh of the Solihull Connected Transport Strategy with the vision that ‘Solihull will have a multi-modal transport system that accesses all parts of the Borough, supports our economy, is safe to use and makes the Borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors’.

The Strategy recognises the role of active travel in connecting people with their neighbourhoods, local centres and destinations across the borough. Active travel can also help reduce traffic and carbon emissions. Policy 4 of the Strategy outlines that ‘We will extend our network of cycle infrastructure across the Borough through cycle lanes, other cycle priorities and cycle parking’.

The Knowle to Solihull corridor has a dual function for strategic and local traffic, with Warwick Road being a key connection for the rural east of Solihull. It also supports future development sites (such as Solihull Town Centre, KN1 Hampton Road and KN2 South of Knowle) as well as improving access to Solihull train station, several schools and leisure destinations.

We are currently developing designs for permanent cycleway along Blossomfield Road to replace the existing temporary infrastructure. We will be feedback on the designs in due course.

Feedback from the public consultation will be considered and the design will be amended accordingly. Detailed design will be undertaken, and a supporting business case will be submitted to the West Midlands Combined Authority to release the capital funding.

To receive email updates on key milestones as the scheme progresses, you can sign up to the ‘Solihull Cycling and Walking Strategy’ bulletin via the Council’s Stay Connected service.