Harbury Lane Active Travel connections, Warwick
Background
We are proposing improved connections for walking, wheeling and cycling along two kilometres of Harbury Lane between the A452 Europa Way, Gallows Hill and Heathcote Lane junction and the B4087 Tachbrook Road/Oakley Wood Road junction.
This scheme supports the development of the Strategic Urban Extension to the South of Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick. Construction of 4,500 homes and creation of new community facilities is well underway. Heathcote Primary School opened in 2017, Lower Heathcote local centre shops opened in 2022 and Oakley School will open on site in 2024.
Harbury Lane, once a rural lane, is now an important road providing access to the new homes, schools and businesses. Some walking and cycling routes have already been completed or are under construction within development sites, but there are opportunities to connect these up, provide crossings and ensure that routes are coherent, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive - in line with local aspirations and national design guidance.
The importance of this scheme has been recognised by Active Travel England. In May 2022 it was announced that Warwickshire County Council had secured £1.4million towards this project from the Active Travel Fund.
Scheme description
Proposed measures include:
- Widening and surfacing of existing path running parallel to Harbury Lane (behind hedge) between Tachbrook Road and Garrett Drive, to create shared use footpath/ cycle track
- New footways and cycle tracks to connect up existing routes between Garrett Drive and Europa Way
- New Toucan crossing between Blakemore Drive and Capulet Drive, and upgrades of existing crossings to enable cyclists to cross safely
- Provision of street lighting on new and upgraded sections of footways, footpaths and cycle tracks
The proposed scheme will be phased and implemented in a series of sections, in order to co-ordinate with delivery timescales for other highway works including access to Oakley School at the B4087 Tachbrook Road/Oakley Wood Road junction and upgrades to the A452 Europa Way, Gallows Hill and Heathcote Lane junction.
You can view the scheme plans and summary of proposals below:
- 9.2-C43--017-020 – Sheet 1 - Section A – B, Tachbrook Road to Cicero Approach (PDF, 8.6 MB)
- 9.2-C43--017-021 – Sheet 2 - Section B – C, Cicero Approach to Heathcote Park (PDF, 2.7 MB)
- 9.2-C43--017-022 – Sheet 3 - Sections C – D and D – E, Heathcote Park to Garrett Drive (1.6 MB)
- 9.2-C43--017-023 – Sheet 4 - Sections E – F and F – G, Garrett Drive to Vickers Way (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- 9.2-C43--017-024 – Sheet 5 – Section G – H, Vickers Way to Europa Way (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- Summary of proposals (PDF, 152 KB)
Community engagement
Community engagement on this project took place during August and September 2023. We are very grateful to everyone who attended the events in Heathcote and Leamington Spa, provided comments by phone or email and/or completed the survey. Over 50 survey responses were received, with a strong level of support for the proposals.
View a summary of the community engagement (PDF, 753 KB)
Detailed design work is now underway. Updated scheme plans and notices will be posted on this page during 2024.
Other projects
The Harbury Lane Active Travel Connections are part of a wider programme to improve and extend the networks of walking and cycling routes in and around Warwickshire’s towns. The aim is to create a safe and attractive environment for walking, wheeling and cycling, so that they become the natural choices for shorter journeys and outdoor recreation in Warwickshire. Detailed proposals and scheme priorities are set out in the draft Warwickshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
Making it easier for people to walk and cycle for short local journeys will also help to tackle congestion, improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and support an increase in physical activity.
For more information about Harbury Lane Active Travel Connections and other walking and cycling projects, please contact tpu@warwickshire.gov.uk.