Work on the exciting new Sandwell urban bike park and cycling trails in Sandwell Valley is now underway.
Following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the urban bike park trails support Sandwell Council’s work in developing tourism opportunities, enhancing Sandwell Valley as a major visitor attraction, and creating a cycling legacy for Sandwell, Birmingham and the Black Country.
Sandwell Valley already features Cycle Network Route 5, part of the National Cycle Network, running from Reading to Holyhead.
The new cycle trails will also offer enhanced facilities for families, children and young people, enabling them to access physical health and wellbeing opportunities together as a social activity. The design brief ensures that the area will be for a mix of activities including walking, dog walking, running and family cycling and the natural beauty and scenery of the site will be incorporated into the design. The site will be enjoyed by riders, families, walkers and nature lovers.
It is hoped the trails will be a popular destination for cyclists within the region, providing opportunities for those with different abilities so that they can progress steadily: growing, learning, gaining experience and becoming more confident. The trails will also support an increase in membership of cycling clubs.
Councillor Laura Rollins, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said: “This new facility will be free to use and will help attract more people into Sandwell Valley. Cycling for sport, pleasure or travel provides many benefits to health, social isolation and community cohesion.
“The urban bike park trails will provide opportunities for people to exercise, keep fit and have fun within our open spaces. By developing the trails, we are encouraging more people to take up cycling and explore other cycle routes across Sandwell.”
The urban cycle park is just part of Sandwell’s plan and strategy to improve its Green Spaces.
The length of the whole trial (Sandwell and Birmingham) is 4407m for both sides of which the Green trail, which is in Sandwell only, is 2366m.
The £630,000 scheme is being led and delivered by Sandwell Council, with the support and £430,000 funding from Sport England, and further match funding each from Sandwell Council and Birmingham City Council.