‘Pop-up’ cycle lane cost £430k to install and then rip out again
CAMPAIGNERS are demanding answers after uncovering the huge cost of installing – then ripping out – a ‘pop-up’ bike lane on a busy city road.
It has now emerged the total cost of putting the route down along the A47 Nechells Parkway, maintaining it for two years, then ripping it all up, tops £430,000.
That has drawn an angry reaction from campaigners who say it should have been left as it was, at least until a more permanent solution was found.
Cycling commissioner for the region, Adam Tranter, said it sent out the wrong message with the costs of removing the lane far outweighing those of continued maintenance.
The wasted cash was uncovered by Better Streets for Birmingham, a community group interested in promoting street design that prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
Cyclists were angry to discover the
route was being axed without warning, in a move the city council said was to ‘save costs’.
The group submitted a Freedom of Information Act inquiry to get to the bottom of the costs.
In response the council revealed the cost of installing the track alongside the A47 Nechells Parkway was
estimated at £256,000 including officer time, while the cost of ripping it up again while resurfacing the roadway had come in at £167,000.
They also found cost of maintenance in
the the two years of the lane’s lifespan came to less than £16,000, with the route deemed to be ‘in good condition’.
More questions are now being asked of the council’s reasoning, especially as it has professed to be a champion of active travel.
Cycling and walking commissioner Mr Tranter said: “I think the decision from Birmingham City Council to remove the A47 cycle lane was a step back in terms of our shared ambition to make cycling and walking the natural first choice for short journeys.
“It certainly sends out the wrong message and the costs associated with its removal clearly outweigh the cost of maintaining the lane. “I’m keen to move forward and support the city council on getting safe infrastructure in this area of Birmingham as quickly as possible.”
The city council referred the Post to its original reaction to an initial inquiry about why it was ripping up the lane.
The response then stated: “The A47 pop-up cycle lane was installed under the Emergency Active Travel Fund for temporary measures to support cycling as we emerged from lockdown.
“While some further funding to make schemes permanent has been provided, it is not enough for all the pop-up cycle lanes.
“Unfortunately we are unable to continue to maintain these temporary measures, which have stayed in place for over two years, so they are now being removed ahead of future improvements as and when these can be progressed.”
The authority added it looked forward to working together with partners to “find a way of delivering a permanent high-quality cycle route in this location at the earliest opportunity.”