Summer success

Since the opening of the Penns Lane section in May, work has been progressing behind the scenes to get the next sections of the Connect2 spine route under way.













In the centre of Sutton Coldfield the project Streering Group, BCC and its consultants have been evaluating how the main spine route will cross the town centre to link South Parade to Sutton Park and tie into the town centre and Sutton Coldfield railway station. There is still lots for the design team to do before we might see consultation on the final proposals but at least this difficult section is moving ahead.

In Pype Hayes Park, work has just been completed to upgrade the existing paths over which the connect2 / NCN route will follow. You can now use the new upgraded paths between Chester Road and Pitts Farm, though not yet through to Penns Lane. This link to Penns Lane is still undergoing final development.

Grand Opening on Bank Holiday Monday

Bank Holiday Monday 31st May is our first Community Walking and Cycling Day using new sections of walking and cycling route constructed as part of the BCC/Sustrans/Big Lottery Connect2 project in North Birmingham.

The event, organised by the project Steering group, runs from 10am till 4pm and the highlight will be the Grand Opening of the newest section of route between Newhall Valley Country Park and Penns Lane. Other route sections are also open between Rectory Park and New Hall Valley Country Park as well as in New Hall Valley itself so come and explore by bike, on foot or wheelchair. The routes are signed and easy to follow.

Car parking available at Rectory Park, Bishop Walsh School in Wylde Green Road and the Ramada Javis Hotel in Penns Lane.

As well as the signed routes that you can explore on your own, other organised activities include:

• 12:00 noon - MASS WALK & CYCLE TO NEW PENNS LANE SECTION FOR GRAND OPENING OF ROUTE
• 10am Led walk—Sally Ellis Fitness
• 10am, 11am, 12:30 and 1:30pm - Led walks to and from New Hall Mill / Sutton Park Visitor Centre—contact Malcolm Dunn on 354-6996
• 11am & 2pm North Birmingham CTC—Led cycle ride between Penns Lane and Rectory park. Meet at New Hall Mill
• 1:00pm Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club match and Sutton United Football Club match both in Rectory Park.

All Day Activities include

• New Hall Mill Open —Tea Rooms Open for refreshments
• Rectory Park—Friends of Rectory Park activities and liquid refreshments
• Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Penns Lane—Sebastian Coe Leisure Club Open Day + Refreshments available. Car park open to visitors
• Have a go at Boxing! Rectory Park gym 11 till 3

To mark the event a new BCC produced flyer has been created, including a new map of the New Hall Valley which shows all the sections of walking and cycling route now open, including those sections which form part of the National Cycle Network.

You can download the flyer here (pdf), or pick up one on Monday from new Hall Mill, Rectory Park or the Ramada Jarvis Hotel

New Walking and Cycling Path sections open!

The half mile section of new walking and cycling path between Penns Lane and New Hall Valley Country Park is now open extending access through the Plants Brook Valley to Sutton Coldfield for all those that border Penns Lane and the surrounding area.

This is all in time for the Community Walking and Cycling Day on May 31st Bank Holiday which will be using the full uninterrupted length of the walking and cycling route between Penns Lane and Rectory Park.



Also completed is the Link To Schools section of new path between Coles Lane and Ebrook Road

Paving the way

Its all go this week. Final surfacing has been completed on the Links to Schools section between Ebrook Road and Coles Lane near Plantsbrook and Town schools and today asphalt has started going down on the New Hall Valley to Penns Lane section of the main spine route. This final push by the contractors will see completion of the new section of spine at the beginning of May, all in time for the planned Community Walking and Cycling Day on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May!

Fencing works are nearing completion and the whole section is already looking fantastic. A credit to the contractors workforce who have been putting in the effort.

Sustrans has designated the new spine route as route 534 on the National Cycle Network and the local Sustrans Rangers will be putting up blue and red sticker signs shortly between Penns Lane and Good Hope Hospital to help users of the new paths find their way.

When the rest of the Connect2 project is complete over the next couple of years it will link with Sustrans route 535 at Sutton Park and a proposed route 533 at the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal adjacent to Tyburn/Castle Vale.

May 31st is Community Walking and Cycling Day

To celebrate the opening of the new sections of walking and cycling routes in Rectory Park and New Hall Valley Country Park, the Connect2 steering group is organising a community walking and cycling day on the Bank Holiday Monday, 31st may 2010.

Bring your bikes, feet, strollers, wheelchairs etc. and try out the new paths between Rectory Park and Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield. There will be led rides and walks within the New Hall Valley or you can try it alone using one of the free maps that will be available. Led rides are a total of 5miles on the flat or 6 miles if you fancy a hill or two. If that's too far then there are shorter options too. All the routes are paved and suitable for wheelchair users as well as walkers and cyclists.

New Hall Mill and its tearooms will be open for refreshments and additional interest, so make a day of it, bring a picnic, its going to be huge fun for everyone.

We will be adding more details as they become available. This is a community event run for and on behalf f the local community. If you would like to help out make it a great day out for all please get in touch. An hour or two of your time is all that is needed to make everything run smoothly on the day. Email us at info@connect2birmingham.org for more details or call Andy Robinson on 0777 553 7872

Links to School

Work has started on a Sustrans Links to Schools project in Sutton Coldfield which will see a previously unpaved and unlit path between Coles Lane and Ebrook Road upgraded to a proper walking and cycling route, along with shared use signage for the pavement alongside Town School and Plantsbrook School opening up both schools to improved walking and cycling access.

The section of shared use pavement alongside the schools also forms part of the main Birmingham Connect2 route which will, when complete, continue on and through Sutton Coldfield Town Centre linking Sutton Park with New Hall Valley Country Park

Taking shape

The new section of cycling and walking path between Penns Lane and New Hall Valley Country Park is really taking shape now. The majority of kerbing and sub-base laying has now been substantially completed, including this section across the Walmley Golf Club land.

Fencing and other works are continuing along with the various ramps located at Penns Lane and elsewhere.




The contractor has also taken delivery of a large number of saplings which will be used primarily to develop screening of the bare section alongside the Ramada Hotel. More photos here