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 opened in September 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
- 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
- Creation of new pedestrian/ cycle access points between local streets and the widened path running parallel to Harbury Lane
- Widening and surfacing of existing path running between Harbury Lane and Earl Rivers Avenue, 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 scheme is being phased in order to co-ordinate with delivery timescales for other highway works including upgrades to the A452 Europa Way, Gallows Hill and Heathcote Lane junction.
Phase 1 - construction
The Phase 1 works started on Monday 19 August 2024 and will be substantially completed by the end of 2024. Installation of lighting and new access points onto the paths are likely to be completed early in 2025.
The Phase 1 works include the widening and resurfacing of the existing footpaths running adjacent to Harbury Lane, between Earl Rivers Avenue and the B4087 Tachbrook Road/Oakley Wood Road Junction.
Latest scheme plan (PDF, 1.8 MB)
The works are being undertaken by the County Council’s Highways Contractor – Balfour Beatty Living Places. If you have any queries or concerns over the works while they are being carried out, please contact Balfour Beatty Living Places on 03452 415302.
Phase 2 - design
The footpath improvements are the first phase of wider active travel improvements along the Harbury Lane corridor. During 2025, the focus will move to the western section or Phase 2, including new paths and cycle tracks between the roundabouts at Harbury Lane/Earl Rivers Avenue/Gallagher Way and Harbury Lane/Europa Way/Gallows Hill/ Heathcote Lane. Detailed design work is almost complete, and further consultation will take place before construction work is scheduled.
Phase 2 will connect up with existing walking, wheeling and cycling routes and will be co-ordinated with nearby highway projects. In December 2024, Warwickshire County Council approved the addition of £3.7m to the funding programme to progress the highway improvement scheme at the roundabout of Harbury Lane/Europa Way/Gallows Hill/Heathcote Lane.
Cycle Track Order
Following the footpath creation agreement in July 2024 and Cycle Track Order consultations in October and November 2024. Warwickshire County Council has made (but not yet confirmed) an Order under section 3 of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984, the effect of which will be to convert a footpath, into a shared use cycle track with a right of way for pedal cycles and on foot.
The Order requires confirmation and shall not come into operation until the date on which a further notice is published indicating that the Order has been confirmed in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Cycle Tracks Regulations 1984.
A copy of the unconfirmed Order and associated plan are available to view below and at the Main Reception, Shire Hall, Market Place, Warwick.
- Cycle Track Order (PDF, 241 KB)
- Cycle Track Order plan, Harbury Lane (PDF, 1.1 MB) - showing the length of footpath proposed to be converted coloured orange.
- Cycle Track Notice (PDF, 14 KB)
- Cycle Track Statement of Reasons (PDF, 82 KB)
Any enquiries relating to the Order may be made to Alison Kennedy, Principal Transport Planner, Warwickshire County Council (email: alisonkennedy@warwickshire.gov.uk).
Any objections or representations to the proposed confirmation of the Order, which must be in writing and specify the grounds on which they are made, should be addressed to Alison Kennedy, Principal Transport Planner, Warwickshire County Council, Communities Directorate, Shire Hall Post Room, Northgate Street, Warwick, CV34 4RL or sent by email to alisonkennedy@warwickshire.gov.uk. Objections, representations, and the name of the objector or person making a representation, will normally be treated as public information and may be published. For further information on how Warwickshire County Council processes personal data please refer to the Customer Privacy Notice. Objections and representations must be sent so as to be received by 10 January 2025.
Footpath creation agreement
Warwickshire County Council has entered into a Public Path Creation Agreement with Warwick District Council, the effect of which is to create (widen) parts of the path north-east of Harbury Lane, Warwick (running parallel to Harbury Lane between the junctions of Tachbrook Road and Earl Rivers Avenue). The Agreement took effect on 29 July 2024.
Public Path Creation Agreement (PDF, 1.4 MB)
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)
You can view the scheme plans and summary proposals from the 2023 community engagement 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)
Scheme designs have been amended to respond to comments and suggestions made during the community engagement.
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 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 activetravel@warwickshire.gov.uk