Have your say on a walking, cycling and cycle path plan for the Black Country

Residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to have their say on plans to make it easier for people to walk, cycle or ride their bikes in the Black Country.

Black Country Transport (BCT) has launched a consultation and feedback is being used to shape active travel programmes in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The consultation runs until 30 September and anyone can take part via this link: Black Country Walking Wheeling Cycling | Commonplace.

Active travel programs aim to make walking, cycling and wheelchair use (e.g. in a wheelchair or electric scooter) more attractive, especially for short trips.

This will help people stay active and healthy, save money, reduce congestion and cut carbon emissions as part of efforts to create a net-zero transport network in the Black Country by 2041.

Projects include the construction of safe, separated cycle paths, improved footpaths, more bicycle parking, conveniently located zebra crossings and more accessible routes for wheelchair users and specially adapted bicycles.

BCT works in partnership with the Black Country’s four local authorities of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, taking an innovative approach to developing road schemes, ensuring they are fit for purpose for everyone.

Councillor Damian Corfield, responsible for highways and environmental services, said:

In Dudley we are committed to improving walking, cycling and cycle paths in our borough. We welcome the opportunity to take part in a Black Country-wide consultation to look at new ways to further enhance or complement active travel in our borough.

One of our current active travel projects that is nearing completion is a new two-way cycle route along the A4123 in Dudley, between Castle Road and the Tipton Road junction.

This gives people a great alternative to using the car, which can bring many benefits, from improved traffic flow to improved air quality. We look forward to building on this in the future.

Councillor Keith Allcock, Sandwell Borough Council’s Highways and Environment Manager, said:

We would like to hear the views of Sandwell residents on our plans to develop an active travel network to better connect the Black Country through walking, cycling and road cycling, giving people more choice in their travel options.

We want to further develop local travel networks so that people can travel more easily across the region using different modes of transport. This can help reduce air pollution and improve health and wellbeing.

We want people to help shape the future of active travel in the Black Country and I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Borough Council, said:

Making it easier and safer for residents to travel in different ways creates many benefits, and not just for our environment.

For example, the mental and physical health and wellbeing of residents who rely on a wheelchair or mobility scooter can help them to access local shops independently, be part of the community and use other services without being dependent on others.

Please feel free to share your opinion so that we can get feedback from as many people as possible about walking, cycling and road cycling.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Transport and Green City at Wolverhampton City Council, said:

It is essential that we hear the views from all corners of the community as we develop an active travel network that benefits everyone.

How people travel through the region affects everything from traffic jams to air pollution, the local economy and our health. Engaging people on this important issue is essential to making these plans work, so I urge people to have their say.

Take part in the consultation before 30 September here: Black Country Walking Wheeling Cycling | Commonplace

If you have any questions about completing the consultation or require further assistance, please contact [email protected].

For more information about Black Country Transport and its projects, please visit the Black Country Transport website.