As part of a range of council led travel improvements, the bridge on the A34 Green Lane in Walsall is being widened to create a pedestrian footway on the Cable Drive side, it has been announced.
With funding through both Bloxwich and Walsall Town Deals, the scheme aims to improve safety for pedestrians by widening the bridge to create a 3m wide pedestrian footway.
Walsall Council has engaged closely with businesses in the area, including Homeserve, and found that safe pedestrian access is a barrier for employees. It is hoped that creating safer walking and cycle routes around the borough will increase opportunities for local people to travel for work and leisure.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “This is one of numerous active travel improvements that have been, or will be, delivered by the Town Deal. Having safe active travel routes is really important so that residents who don’t use a car still have the opportunity to travel around the borough. We know from engaging with local employers that road safety for pedestrians can be a barrier to employment and this will help improve access”.
Rob Judson, Chief Operating Officer of Homeserve USA and member of the Walsall and Bloxwich Town Deal Board, said: “It’s great news that the Green Lane bridge will be widened thanks to the Town Deal. It’s something that we’ve been pushing for to help provide safer access for pedestrians and employees of local businesses travelling to work on foot, so I really welcome this news!”
Eddie Hughes, MP for Walsall North, said: “I know this has long been an issue for Homeserve staff and local residents. This project, as part of the Towns Fund, will be a great improvement for pedestrian safety and make it easier for people to safely get from Bloxwich to Walsall.”
Walsall Council hopes to start work on the bridge improvements in summer this year, aiming to utilise the school holidays to minimise disruption.
Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion programme of investment, of which Walsall and Bloxwich Town Deal make up a considerable part. The widening of Green Lane Bridge is one of many Town Deal funded schemes that aim to improve active travel and connectivity and create opportunities for employment and training.
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