A NEW cycle path between Burnt Tree and Tipton Road in Dudley looks set to be installed thanks to government funding to help people walk and cycle safely.

Dudley Council is proposing to install the cycle path which is centred around the new Metro stop on the A4123.

It is one of two proposals being delivered under the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.

The other is improvements to the A456 Manor Way in Halesowen including wider footpaths, a new crossing and a drop in speed limit from 50mph to 40mph.

During the Coronavirus pandemic there has been a large increase in the level of walking and cycling across the UK.

The Active Travel Fund has been made available to help create measures that will enable people to cycle or walk more safely.

A consultation started yesterday (Monday) with local people asked to share their views on the schemes.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services said: "These proposals will allow us to further encourage people to undertake more of their journeys on foot or by bike, with immediate health benefits to them as individuals, but also hopefully helping to take more vehicles off our roads, improving air quality and traffic flow.

"I hope people take the time to take part in the consultation which launched on 22 February and runs for four weeks."

The council said the cycle route will provide excellent connectivity to the future Metro stop, which will be found at the centre of the route.

People cycling will be protected from traffic as well as from pedestrians, and this protection will be maintained across side roads wherever possible.

This cycle path will not have an impact on traffic flows on the road.

The A4123 has been identified as a key part of the strategic cycle network for the whole West Midlands, and a number of projects are ongoing to improve it.

The council said residents said the main reason they don't cycle more is because they don't feel safe enough, and "the only way to correct this is with high-quality, protected cycle paths along our major roads.

"There is an aspiration for future extensions to this route, to Wolverhampton Ring Road in the North, and the Hagley Road (linking to Birmingham) in the South.

"There are existing plans to widen the Metro bridge to allow space for the cycle path to continue uninterrupted and work is also underway to provide safe and efficient passage for cyclists across Burnt Tree junction."

For more information about the schemes and consultation questions visit https://dudleywalking-and-cycling.commonplace.is/