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Birmingham Connect2 Scheme

Local Sustainable Transport Fund - 'Bike North Birmingham' Small Scheme Bid

Birmingam City Council is making a Small Scheme Bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The proposed project, titled 'Bike North Birmingham', would build on the existing and new cycle routes currenty under construction as Connect2 to link railway stations and retail centres in North Birmingham to the main spine routes.

Richard Leonard, BCC's Team Leader – Transportation Strategy writes:

Dear Sir/Madam


Local Sustainable Transport Fund - 'Bike North Birmingham' Small Scheme Bid

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Birmingham City Council (BCC) is working with local partners to transform walking and cycling in the North Birmingham area. We are doing this through physical improvements, such as new paths and improved signs, to create a comprehensive network of cycling and walking routes. This will be supported by campaigns and other initiatives to encourage people to walk and cycle
more. To pay for the improvements we are bidding for up to £5million from the Department for Transport (DfT) from the new Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

The attached map (click to enlarge) shows routes that we have identified for walking and cycling improvements as part of this bid. The existing walking and cycling routes in the area including those which we are already committed to building over the next few years through the ‘North Birmingham Walking & Cycling Route – Connect 2’ project are also shown.

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The bid will build upon the successes already achieved in North Birmingham through recent investment in walking and cycling. One of the main aims of the bid is to improve walking and cycling facilities in the area including better routes, signs, safer crossings and other measures to improve the overall walking and cycling experience for local people.

These improvements will make it easier for everyone to travel in general. However, we are specifically aiming to make it easier to get to local services like schools and healthcare, the public transport network, retail and employment hubs such as local centres and recreational activities (i.e. Sutton Park and the New Hall Valley).

Another important part of the bid is the proposal for campaigns and initiatives to promote the improvements and try to change people’s behaviour towards more sustainable modes of travel, particularly cycling and walking. These will complement the infrastructure improvements and will
be targeted towards Schools, Workplace and Commuter Travel and marketing and enabling cycling.

Through encouraging people to travel using more environmentally friendly and sustainable modes we aim to:

  • Promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for local people;
  • Support the local economy by better connecting local business and
  • employment hubs;
  • Improve local air quality and lower carbon emissions; and
  • Promote cycling as an affordable transport option, especially with
  • rising cost of fuel.

The bid needs to be submitted by 18th April 2011 and we will find out in June 2011 if we have been successful.

Your support is very important to give this bid a good chance of success. Please provide your support to this bid by replying to this email no later than Monday 4th April 2011.

Alternatively you can write to:

Bike North Birmingham
Birmingham City Council
Transportation Strategy - Neighbourhood 20
1 Lancaster Circus
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 7DQ

The proposals being considered for inclusion in the bid are still at an early stage. If the bid is successful the proposals will need to be designed and planned in more detail and to do this we will be working closely with local communities, businesses and stakeholders. There will be
opportunities for you to influence the proposals as part of this process over the coming months. However, at this early stage your suggestions and general comments are very welcome along with your email or letter of support.

If the funding bid is successful, the first parts of the scheme could be introduced in early 2012. The scheme would be completed by early 2015.

Further information will be available next week on the following website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bikenorthbirmingham

This site will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available. If you have specific questions about Bike North Birmingham you can email bikenorthbirmingham@birmingham.gov.uk or telephone (0121) 3037758.

Thank you in anticipation of your support in backing this important bid.


Yours faithfully,

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Richard Leonard
Team Leader – Transportation Strategy
Birmingham City Council