Push for cycle route notches up a gear

Cycleways has long campaigned for a safer route on the A452, which activists said is the second busiest A-road in the county.

The campaign group said a recent feasibility study by Warwickshire County Council has concluded that a Kenilworth to Leamington cycle route is both technically feasible and deliverable.

Plans for the K2L route could include a 40-metre steel crossing over the River Avon and a causeway over its flood plain at Chesford Bridge.

The complete route could cost between £1.4 million and £1.7 million.

Cycleways said the study has endorsed its ideas for the route it first proposed in 2010.

The action group said the narrow nature of the A452 and its footpaths does not encourage more cycle use. A spokesman said: “This four-mile stretch of the A452 is the only direct route between Kenilworth and Leamington.

“It is heavily used and tailbacks are normal at peak periods. At present only the most experienced cyclist would use this road, and with great reluctance, because of dangerous narrow stretches and road junctions.

“Any cyclist using the road causes interruptions to traffic flow, which is frustrating for motorists and intimidating for the cyclist.

“Cycling would present an attractive alternative for commuters because the two towns are only a 20-minute cycle ride apart.”

The proposed route follows the west side (Leek Wootton side ) of the A452 from the Kenilworth gyratory system at the Jet petrol station.

It would then switch to the opposite side of the road at the B4115 crossroads by the Chesford Hotel for the rest of the route to Leamington.

The scheme could include pedestrian-cyclist crossings at junctions, cycle-only lanes and path widening for shared use at narrow points.