Based on route user intercept survey data from one site on Black Path Bridge. Data collected Apr 2012 and May 2013

The challengeThe residential areas of Newbold and Brownsover and the Brownsover industrial estate to the north and west of Rugby were cut off from the town centre and railway station by the West Coast Main Line railway, A426 Leicester Road and River Avon. These three constraints mean that previously the only safe and traffic free crossings were a long detour or involved negotiating old and sub-standard steps.

The solutionSustrans worked with Rugby Borough Council to develop a new traffic-free route which crosses the A426 and the mainline railway line and uses old railway line to link the industrial and residential areas in the north west of Rugby to the town centre. The centre piece of the scheme was the reopening of the 167-year-old, 11-arch Grade II Leicester Road Viaduct. A new ramp was also added to Black Path Bridge to provide a step-free route across the mainline railway.

The

Impact

79% of people use the route because it saves them money

32% of people using the route could have used a car for their journey instead

91% of people used the route because they thought it was the most convenient option

41% of people using the route said they intend to walk more in the next 12 months

Reopening a Grade II listed viaduct and building new ramps on an existing bridge offers cyclists and walkers safe crossings of the railway line, busy roads and the River Avon

Case study: a fantastic new cycling and walking route providing links to Rugby town centre

Key factsRugby

Big Lottery Fund Grant£350,000

Scheme partnersRugby Borough Council, St Modwen, Warwickshire County Council

Schools benefitting from the schemeWarwickshire College

Amenities benefitting from the schemeJunction 1 Retail Park, Brownsover Industrial and Residential, Town Centre, Railway Station, Quarry Close Residential

The scheme is part of National Cycle Network, Route 53

53

The differenceThe scheme provides a direct route into the centre of Rugby, bringing lasting benefits to residents in north and west of town. The route links communities to workplaces in the industrial estates and to amenities in and around the town centre, such as schools, shops and the railway station. As well as proving popular for everyday local journeys on foot and by bike, it offers longer cycling opportunities, forming part of the National Cycle Network from Rugby to Coventry.

The futureFurther links are currently being developed in Rugby through the Department for Transport’s Safety Fund which will provide safe off road and quiet road links into the town from the south west. This route will link into the Viaduct Cycleway and add to the benefit and connectivity brought by this scheme. Further links will continue to be developed as part of the adjacent St Modwen development site which will provide high quality route to the north.

Want to find out more?Find out how we’re transforming local travel across the UK. Call 0117 926 8893, email info@sustrans.org.uk or visit www.sustrans.org.uk.

Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable. We’re a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.

www.sustrans.org.uk Registered charity no. 326550 (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland). Photo credits: Sustrans. © Sustrans 2013

“” The Rugby Viaduct Cycleway will bring a lasting benefit to Rugby residents and supports the council’s regeneration strategy… It’s also a major leisure amenity which brings one of Rugby’s iconic

structures back into everyday use. “”Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council