27 August
27 August
A temporary cycle lane is set to be installed in Smethwick to improve links for cyclists between the town centre and local stations.
Sandwell Council will install the lane by the end of the month (August) between Smethwick Galton Bridge and Rolfe Street stations. It will link with National Cycle Route 5 which comes through Smethwick.
Cyclists will use the inside lane of the dual carriageway of the A457 Tollhouse Way.
Motorists are advised to be aware of the changes to the dual carriageway and to allow extra time for journeys.
The temporary cycle lane will complement the current one-way system in place in Smethwick High Street / St Paul’s Road, which is boosting walking and supporting social distancing in the town centre.
Councillor Jackie Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: “This temporary cycle lane will make access to and from Smethwick’s stations easier and safer for cyclists.
“This will be a temporary cycle lane and will only be there as long as it’s needed, as we will be installing a permanent cycle lane, off the main highway, in the grassed areas between High Street and Tollhouse Way.
“Wherever possible, we are encouraging cycling and walking. These are better than the car for people’s health as well as improving the environment and helping tackle climate change.”
Deputy Council Leader Councillor Maria Crompton welcomed the plans. She said: “We thank everyone for their patience as we implement these important new measures.”
Sandwell has been allocated initial funding of £297,000 to implement a range of emergency traffic management measures on high streets and in town centres to help reallocate road space to pedestrians and cyclists.
This investment has been used in Oldbury and Smethwick to temporarily widen pavements and implement one-way systems and provide additional cycle infrastructure to help encourage more sustainable forms of transport.
The Government funding has been allocated to Sandwell via Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, under the Emergency Active Travel Fund.
