Hundreds of locals join battle to stop cycleway to protect Greenbelt in Coundon

[dutchman]

More than 400 signed a petition in just over 24 hours



Hundreds of locals have joined a battle to stop a cycleway to 'protect Greenbelt' in Coundon. They want to halt the development of Phase 2 of Coundon Cycleway.

They claim that it 'threatens the rural character and wildlife' of Coundon Wedge. In just 24 hours, more than 400 locals added their name to a petition.

Entitled "Protect Coundon Wedge: Stop the Coundon Park Cycleway," it calls on the city council to reconsider the proposed cycleway extension. It has been launched by Taiwo Owatemi, the MP for Coventry North West after residents raised concerns with her.

She said that while she is 'by no means against cycleways', she said that locals told her that they were not properly consulted on Phase 2 of the Coundon Cycleway, with many saying they did not know the route was planned to go through Coundon Wedge.

"I am disappointed that once again, local people have been left in the lurch," the MP said. "With work to extend the Coundon Cycleway across Coundon Wedge having started on Monday, February 17, 2025, residents should have been given ample time to consider the plans. However, instead, they were offered just two drop-in sessions on Wednesday, 12 February, and Saturday, 15 February 2025, just days before work was scheduled to start.

"Better connections are needed in Keresley and the accessibility of Coundon Wedge needs to be improved, but any scheme of this scale must have proper consultation with local people. In my meeting with members of the Allesley and Coundon Wedge Conservation Society, concerns were expressed over the scale of the cycleway and its impact on wildlife."

They say that they are working on providing an alternative route to Coventry City Council, 'paired with a proper consultation with residents'. "The alternative route would provide improved accessibility to Coundon Wedge without harming its natural landscape and the important wildlife that thrives there," the MP added.

"I will be meeting with the Chief Exec of Coventry City Council this month to bring forward the concerns of my constituents and express my disappointment at the lack of consultation."

The petition will run until April 30. It can be found online here

[dutchman]

Council issues statement over Coundon Wedge cycleway concerns



Council bosses have issued a statement over concerns about a cycleway extension in Coundon Wedge. It comes after hundreds of locals signed a petition to try and stop it.

It was launched by Taiwo Owatemi, the MP for Coventry North West after she said residents raised concerns with her. But Coventry City Council has said that the extension of the cycleway will not go through the cherished open area.

Instead, the council has said that it is looking at an alternative route. It has also said that it will consult with locals after the MP claimed they had been 'left in the lurch'.

In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the extension to Coundon cycleway will definitely not go through Coundon Wedge. We are currently looking at alternative routes and will write to nearby residents and set up another drop in session when we have new design options ready for discussion.

"In the meantime, we will continue with phase one of the work, linking Tamworth Road to the existing cycle lane on Coundon Wedge Drive including crossing points on Tamworth Road and Brownshill Green Lane. There will be no work on Northbrook Road.

"We hope this update clears up any concern about Coundon Wedge."

It has said that the Coundon cycleway extension aims to extend what was the first segregated cycleway route in the city and connect into the new housing development in Keresley. There will be new crossings created which will make it easier and safer for pedestrians as well as cyclists. The route through Coundon park will also make it easier for people with mobility issues to enjoy areas of the park that are currently inaccessible.