Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has at last released a proposal for the next phase of K2L (the Kenilworth to Leamington cycle route). Follow this link for details.
WCC is asking for responses by 21st August 2026, and Cycleways urges people to make their views known.
Although Cycleways agrees that this is an important scheme, we have some serious reservations about the proposed solution.
Here is the response we have submitted (responses should be made by email to syedshah@warwickshire.gov.uk, using the subject “K2L – A452 1b”).
- Cycleways agrees with WCC that provision for cyclists on the A452 needs to be significantly improved. The A452 is a major and important route between Leamington and Kenilworth and the University of Warwick. It also serves local sports and leisure facilities, and is the gateway to quiet rural lanes ideal for cycling.
- There is significant suppressed demand for cycling on this route, as so many cyclists are deterred by the traffic conditions on the A452 – it is fast and narrow and puts cyclists in danger.
- Development sites LEA.1, LEA.2 and LEA.3, put forward in the Section 19 Consultation for the development of thousands of houses in the area, will significantly increase traffic on the A452, on surrounding roads, and at the Blackdown roundabout, which is integral to the K2L-A452 1b scheme under discussion
- The 470m strip of land on the North Leamington/Kingsley School site is integral to this scheme, but the land acquisition has not been completed. It makes no sense to start this scheme until that land has been secured, or to carry out any consultation until the plans for this land are laid out.
- Similarly, there is currently no firm plan for how the scheme will be extended beyond the Sandy Lane/A452 junction. Unless WCC can commit to a high-quality scheme north of Sandy Lane, there is no point committing to the existing scheme. We strongly recommend that WCC produces at least outline plans for the whole route to ensure it meets the LTN 1/20 requirement to be Coherent, Direct, Safe, Comfortable, and Attractive.
- We have serious concerns that the proposals for K2L-A452 1b will not meet the LTN 1/20 requirement to be Coherent, Direct, Safe, Comfortable, and Attractive. Much more information is required about proposed cycleway widths and junction designs before a proper assessment can be made. Without this detail, it is impossible to say if the scheme proposed will meet WCC’s own Statement of Reasons, in particular Cyclists’ perception of safety, vehicle speed, and potential conflict with pedestrians. We strongly recommend that WCC provides sufficient detail to allow better informed comments and a meaningful consultation.
- In light of point 6, we suggest that the time-frame for the consultation should be extended beyond August 21st 2026 so that additional detail may be made available, and also in recognition of the fact that we are now in the holiday season, with many interested parties likely to be away.
- We have serious reservations about a shared use facility on one side of the road in what is seen by WCC as a flagship scheme, designed to stimulate demand. Our reasons are clearly set out in our critique of phase 1 of K2L, from Binswood Avenue north. Click here for more details.
- The crossing at the Blackdown roundabout has not been dealt with adequately. Although it is not marked on the plan, we understand that a Toucan crossing is planned on the Stoneleigh Road. The proposed route takes cyclists (and pedestrians) 25m out of their way on each side of the road, and requires a 90-degree turn to cross the road and again to regain the cycleway. To make the route Coherent, Direct, Safe, Comfortable and Attractive, and to cater for the additional traffic that will be generated by development schemes LEA.1, LEA.2, and LEA.3 (see point 3 above) into account, it would be far better to have signal control on the entire roundabout to allow for peak-time traffic demand. This will become more necessary in light of the anticipated housing development.
- The radii on the junction with the Stoneleigh Road are large, allowing vehicles to enter this junction at high speed. The radii should be tightened and the width restricted to slow the traffic down. A responsive, signal-controlled crossing with a raised table should be placed at the mouth of the Stoneleigh Road to make the route Coherent, Direct, Safe, Comfortable and Attractive.
- There is currently no provision for cyclists wishing to travel west on Old Milverton Lane to cross safely and easily. Old Milverton Lane gives access to the Nuffield Hospital and Woodland Grange hotel and conference centre.
- There is very little available space to create a suitable cycleway north of the Blackdown roundabout. With a 40mph speed limit, LTN 1/20 recommends 1m separation between the carriageway and the cycleway (LTN 1/20 table 6-1). This will be very difficult to achieve as things stand, but it is essential, particularly for cyclists travelling north against the oncoming traffic. We strongly request that the speed limit on the A452 is reduced to 30mph, which would allow for a narrower 3m carriageway on each side of the road, in order to liberate more space for the cycleway.
- The current scheme, like the section from Binswood Avenue north, lacks ambition, and makes no serious attempt to implement a scheme to LTN 1/20 standards. A flagship scheme on this scale deserves better.
If you have other ideas or suggestions about the route, please email membership@cycleways.org.uk