Call for HS2 cycle route to connect Midland cities

A 21-mile cycleway linking Birmingham to Coventry partly using the HS2 route is ‘a no-brainer,’ claims West Midlands mayor Andy Street Mr Street asked the governmentowned firm HS2 Ltd to keep haulier and maintenance tracks for the conversion of the cycleway, instead of dismantling them.

He believes the cycle route would improve health, wellbeing and economic growth in the region.

Mr Street said the cycleway would improve local and rural connectivity in Solihull and Warwickshire – and that he had a plan to fund it. Local authorities have backed his plan.

Mr Street said: “I’m determined to maximise HS2’s benefits for the region.

“A high-quality active travel route, enabled by HS2 construction, and supported by local authorities, is a no-brainer for so many reasons.

“This is an opportunity to connect cities like Birmingham and Coventry, but also improve local and rural connectivity in Solihull and Warwickshire.

“The proposed route runs near growth zones in east Birmingham and Solihull, as well as the investment zone in Birmingham’s knowledge quarter, meaning we can use this infrastructure to provide access to the high-quality green jobs of the future.

“Frankly, it helps our health and wellbeing agendas, our net zero targets and our growth targets.

“When HS2 Ltd made clear what was possible if the region got on board – it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

Plans for the HS2 cycleway were announced a decade ago. But after the government scrapped much of the project, it’s unclear what will and won’t be realised.

An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “It has always been part of our vision to deliver active travel provision and upgrade routes along the route of HS2 between London and the West Midlands. HS2 provides a fantastic opportunity to reconnect landscapes and create new footpaths and cycleways, with many of our design proposals including enhanced local community connections.

“We are currently looking at opportunities in 20 locations between London and Birmingham, including pilots to consider repurposing haul roads and construction access points, which would all contribute to the government’s active travel aspirations.”