Harborne Line Walkway (Cycleway)

Comment by Ryan Stait on April 27, 2009 at 19:34

As bike was in for a service thought I'd walk back from work in town along the canal and then onto the walkway. It looks good, with one decent sized section still to complete. Just needs people (including our local councillors) to promote this route as a way of leaving their cars behind and cycling from/to Harborne. Some decent signposting would be an idea, especially from Summerfield Park to the canal that will take you into the city centre.

Comment by Nick on April 28, 2009 at 16:52

Some signposting or printed maps would be useful to direct cyclists beyond this route i.e. to city centre, City Hospital, Q.E. Hospital, Birmingham University etc.. I think that on the route itself a simple map at each entrance would be sufficient.

'End of Cycle Route' and 'Cyclists Dismount' signs are unnecessary, they spoil the natural surroundings, are a waste of money and an insult to cyclists intelligence. I hope the Travel Wise team agree?

Comment by Basil W Bloke on April 28, 2009 at 20:34

We need someone with the ability to silkscreen onto laminate. I'd love to stick a replacement sign over those "Cyclists Dismount" signs in various parts of the city.
I'm thinking along the lines of "Motorists Get Out And Push"
;-)

Comment by LS on April 29, 2009 at 21:29

I agree about the signs. Last year part of the River Cole route near ASDA Small Heath was resurfaced and new signs erected. There are some end of route signs where paths leave the main route which don't serve much purpose apart from attracting graffitti. Cyclists Dismount signs leave me bemused.

Comment by TravelWise Team - B'ham Council on April 29, 2009 at 22:24

I will enquire to see what is happening with signage for the Harborne Walkway, I am not sure if the works have finished.

Comment by Ryan Stait on May 14, 2009 at 12:18

Spoke to one of the contractors at the weekend as they are currently repairing the entrance on Park Hill Road. He said that they have been told that they will be finishing the whole of the walkway which would be very good news if true. There is also now a signpost on Park Hill Road pointing out the Walkway. I also has a reply from Councillor John Alden with regards to maps/signposting - he forwarded it to Steve Jarvis at Birmingham City Council on 5th May. As yet I have had no reply.

Comment by LS on May 14, 2009 at 13:29

Gillhurst Road entrance, leads to the path on the left in the last photo above.

Comment by Ryan Stait on June 8, 2009 at 10:30

Walked the route on Saturday and Sunday as I was dogsitting and they needed some exercise.

The good news is that there are signs highlighting the way to Birmingham Canals when you get on at Park Hill Road, plus there are signs highlighting the exits, e.g Hagley Road, Portland Road etc. The bad news is that when you arrive at Summerfield Park after being directed to the canals, there is no sign telling you which way to go. There is also no sign directing you the other way back to Harborne (they may be further along in the park but I didn't go that far).

The other big negative is that fair amounts of the Walkway are still not complete and the mechanical diggers that had been hanging around there have now gone. The weather on Saturday and Sunday was very poor and there are sections where you would have to get off your bike because of the state of the ground. I reckon it will take a good week of warm weather and no rain for it to dry out.

I have still not received a reply from Steve Jarvis at BCC after Coun John Alden forwarded my question about plans for the Walkway on 15th May. I asked Coun Alden for an update last week but have not had a reply from him either.

Comment by Robert Holland on July 30, 2009 at 10:40

Seems, from Tim Weller's letter in yesterday's Birmingham Post, that the condition of the Harborne Cycleway is far from ideal?

Comment by Ryan Stait on September 11, 2009 at 10:05

Below is a response from Councillor Whitby's office, four months after my first e-mail to Birmingham City Council

Dear Ryan,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you on your enquiry regarding works on the Harborne Walkway. I am now in a position to update you.

The works carried out so far by Transportation have been very much appreciated by the public but unfortunately there was not enough funding to improve further parts of the Walkway which now remain muddy following heavy rain.

I am pleased to inform that further funding to carry out a second phase of works is available from two Planning Agreements; one which resulted from the development at the Cape Hill Brewery site in the Soho Ward and another which resulted from development at Barford Road/Dudley Road in the Ladywood Ward. Both of these Agreements resulted in monetary contributions for works to the Harborne Walkway generally.

As the work to the Walkway running through these two Wards is essentially complete by way of the Transportation scheme, it is now possible to use the funding to carry out as much work to the Walkway as the money will allow through the Edgbaston and Harborne Wards. It is proposed to continue the improvements to the path, using the same specification, for the lengths from Percival Road towards Portland Road, and in the other direction towards Park Hill Road, where necessary. It should be noted that some existing lengths of the route are in perfectly good order and will not be worked upon. Transportation Officers will supervise these extra works having been involved with the first phase.

The report has been prepared to obtain approval to carry out the works and is in the process of being signed. It is anticipated that works will start on site during October.

I hope this information is helpful. Thank you for contacting Councillor Whitby.

Regards,

Ann Lee
Leader's Office
Birmingham City Council
0121 303 3000
DD: 0121 303 4939

Add a Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page