Canals & Cycling to be under the spotlight in 2013!

The Black Country canal network is set to become the gem in the regions transport network.

Cycling supports the aims of the Wolverhampton City Council Corporate Plan.

Modal shift from private car to bicycle can support business and reduce road traffic. Making journey time more reliable and and creating a healthier workforce. Also cycling is attractive to local schools and thousands of Wolverhampton pupils are engaged with cycling information and training.

One of those places where cycling can take place is on Local Canals.

Therefore increased focus is taking place on the towpath and the traffic free network it offers for connectivity with key sites in Wolverhampton and the Black Country, for both cyclists and pedestrians.

This development of course will create problems as well as opportunity.

Certainly Wolverhampton’s cycling fraternity see opportunity in developing the towpath into cycle routes. I would see the opportunity here in Wednesfield along our canal for such development to take place.

My gut feel is that I would like to see some increased use of the towpath by cyclist’s, but there does need to be a need for investment to go in at the same time the cycleways are developed. Both in the way the tow paths are maintained and also attention to safety issues for all other users, including leisure like dog walkers, anglers, and others just marvelling at the flora and fauna we have in these corridors.