Sambrook Newsletter Article on A38 Cycleway Extension
Text of article by Gary Sambrook, Conservative MP for Birmingham Northfield: “Residents will remember the crazy bus lane the council installed on Bristol Road South, which they then later removed at significant cost! Bankrupt Birmingham City Council have recently informed local MP Gary Sambrook that they are now planning to push ahead with a new cycle lane along A38, extending the Selly Oak and Edgbaston route through Northfield and into Longbridge. This will create 6km (sic) of new segregated cycle lanes and cost around £10m. The Council intend to appoint a consultant next year to start the consultation stage of the cycle lane. Gary Sambrook MP said "The Council are currently threatening to axe local services due to them being effectively bankrupt and now they want to spend £10 million on a cycle lane on Bristol Road. Residents will know that we fought off a campaign several years ago to impose a cycle and bus lane on the A38 which had no meaningful consultation at the time. This time the Council would like to segregate the cycle lane from the road, but this will mean taking up space in the central reservation or on the pavement. I'd much prefer the Council to spend the money on improving the Rea Valley Cycle Route, as well as essential services. I'll do my best to make sure people are involved."”. Fact check: the money will come from central government, and will be withdrawn if not spent on this project.
