A bid for £17m of Government funding to transform cycling provision in Birmingham is being put before the city council’s cabinet today.
Totalling £22.9m, plans for Birmingham’s ‘Cycle Revolution’ include the creation of 115km of new routes for cyclists, upgrades to 95km of existing networks by 2016, and a commitment to future development until 2023.
Unveiled in January, the Department of Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant Scheme entitles Birmingham to funding of up to £20m for development and implementation of cycle infrastructure and would require a 30% contribution from the city.
Birmingham City Council’s planned funding bid could fund the extension of 20mph zones across the city, councillors said.Proposals would see marked cycle facilities, shared use footways and diversions away from junctions deployed along eight of the main arterial routes into the city. This would be combined with the development of a network of parallel quieter routes, off road green pathways and towpath improvements.
Birmingham said the plans could also see a ‘significant extension’ of 20mph areas, alongside further supportive measures such as cycle hire and improved parking.
Cabinet member for a green, safe and smart city at Birmingham City Council, cllr James McKay, said: ‘Now is the time for a cycling revolution, and I hope the need for change, cyclist support for the plans and the ambition of our bid are persuasive forces that convince the Government to back Birmingham’s aspirations.
‘The plan we’ve put together gives Birmingham a clear way forward that will improve provision and facilities that will make cycling an integral part of our transport network, and a much more attractive and easy option for people to consider.’
