MP accused of ‘misleading’ comments on controversial A38 cycle lane
AGROUP of cyclists in Birmingham have accused a city MP of ‘misinforming’ the public over the extension of the A38 cycle lane to Northfield and Longbridge.
They urged local leaders to support the extension of the A38 Blue Route further south – saying current ‘death trap on-road cycle lanes’ were putting cyclists at risk.
A petition calling for the extension of the Blue Route – which links Selly Oak to the city centre – has received more than 300 signatures, but campaigners accused Northfield MP Gary Sambrook of misinforming the public over how the route would be funded.
In a newsletter sent to residents, Mr Sambrook said: “The council is currently threatening to axe local services due to them being effectively bankrupt and now they want to spend £10 million on a cycle lane on Bristol Road.”
His comments drew criticism from cycling campaigners who accused Mr Sambrook of ‘incorrectly’ stating the project was being funded by Birmingham City Council when it is the UK Government that has funded the project.
The council confirmed Department for Transport funding for the extension of the route had been ring fenced and a public consultation would be launched later this year.
The blue-surfaced A38 cycle route along Bristol Road was opened in 2019. The extension of the route will directly link Longbridge, Northfield, Weoley Hill and Bournville to the existing pathway.
The extension has been backed by road safety campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham.
Co-chairs Martin Price and Mat MacDonald said: “Every year, 25 people are killed and 400 seriously injured on Birmingham’s roads. That’s why we’ve been pushing for cyclists to be separated from the road and holding the council to account on its pace of delivery.
“If you want to cycle from Longbridge or Northfield today, you can use the convoluted and muddy Rea Valley Route or use back roads.
“For the most direct route along the A38, you have to either ride over tree roots on shared paths, or, if you’re feeling brave, use the on-road lane where you are just inches from speeding cars.
“The A38 scheme, fully funded by the Government, will enable Brummies to make local trips, do the school run, and commute without the fear of being killed by a fast-moving vehicle. It’s exactly the type of changes to our streets we’ve been campaigning for. We urge everybody to show support for this project and sign the petition.”
A number of other cyclists said they backed the A38 extension.
“I’d definitely use the upgraded route to get to Northfield,” said Naomi Fisher, from Bournville.
“The current route is horrendous and particularly scary, especially going past the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.”
Andy Carter, from Cofton Hackett, said: “Cycling along the A38 is hostile, especially when you have to pass parked cars or stopped buses. The Rea Valley route is out of the way. A direct way to cycle from Cofton Hackett to Northfield and the city centre with my daughter would be great.”
Mr Sambrook called on the council to instead use the £10 million of central government funding to improve
and widen access to the existing Rea Valley Cycle Route, saying many residents were ‘extremely concerned’ about the A38 extension. His spokesman said: “Many residents are extremely concerned by this scheme and want to see the details in full.
“The council has informed me they intend to tender the £10 million project but I believe better use of this money could be spent on improving and widening access to the Rea Valley Cycle Route.
“I have been contacted by a number of cyclists and residents who would see this as a safer way to commute by bike along with River Rea in a properly-segregated route, rather than the challenge of using the very busy A38.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “The council has been allocated Department for Transport funding through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme for the A38 Selly Oak to Longbridge cycle route project. This is ring-fenced, external capital grant funding which cannot be used for anything else.
“The CRSTS programme is overseen and coordinated by the West Midlands Combined Authority/ Transport for West Midlands.
“The scheme is currently in the development phase and there will be public consultation later this year.”
Every year, 25 people are killed and 400 seriously injured on Birmingham’s roads. Better Streets for Birmingham