2. River Valley Connections

RVC04 Gateway to the Trent Valley

Improving access for walking and cycling around the Trent Valley

Project Summary

This project has altered from its original design.

Originally, we intended to complete the cycle link between National Cycle Network route 54 from Lichfield to the west, and the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall and wider landscape to the east of the Transforming the Trent Valley landscape. The route crosses the A38 via the A513 road bridge, connecting to the existing cycleway before taking an off-road route and emerging opposite the National Memorial Arboretum. The purpose was to enable local communities to visit this popular memorial sustainably and provide improved access to the greater countryside.

Unfortunately, complications were identified during the technical design stage that significantly increased the cost of delivering the scheme. Staffordshire County Council remain committed to delivering the scheme in the long-term, but are unable to complete the works during the timescales of Transforming the Trent Valley. As a result, we have paused the technical design for this scheme and have moved focus to other initiatives that can be delivered within the timeframe remaining.

We are now working with Staffordshire County Council and the Canal and River Trust to support two towpath improvement schemes.

Fradley Junction to Kings Bromley
Staffordshire County Council are upgrading the towpath between the Fradley Junction and Kings Bromley marina to a standard suitable for walking and cycling. The contribution from Transforming the Trent Valley ensures that the entire length can be upgraded to a suitable standard. This upgrade links to the section of towpath upgrade completed by Canal and River Trust in 2020 through the Transforming the Trent Valley Scheme.

In total, approximately 3km of towpath will be improved.

Burton-upon-Trent
Canal and River Trust are upgrading close to 9km of towpath through Burton-upon-Trent. Transforming the Trent Valley is contributing towards the biodiversity improvements associated with the resurfacing. This scheme will make a big difference to the communities in Burton and links together a number of our projects. The resurfaced towpath passes Shobnall Leisure Centre where we have recently installed a cycling hub and provided a community grant for a women’s cycling club. New cycle routes planned across the town mean cyclists will more easily access the Burton Washlands.

The additional 12km of towpath upgrade will add to the current 5.7km of upgraded towpath already completed bringing the total improved through our scheme to nearly 18km.

When the towpath upgrades have been completed they will be maintained by the Canal and River Trust as part of the routine inspection and maintenance programme.

The project will contribute to a sustainable travel connection between Kings Bromley Marina and Alrewas, and from Barton to Stretton.

Project Lead

Will Spencer
Connectivity Strategy Officer Staffordshire County Council

 
 
 
 
 

Gateway to the Trent Valley Projects

Future Projects

Details of future projects to be delivered by Transforming the Trent Valley and its partners as part of the Community Engagement project will be posted here soon.

Current Projects

Towpath upgrade from Fradley Junction to Kings Bromley

Towpath upgrade through Burton-upon-Trent

Completed Projects

Design and scoping of a cycleway across the A38 between Alrewas and the National Memorial Arboretum

Whilst this project will not be delivered through Transforming the Trent Valley, the designs and scoping have enabled a number of options to be considered and costed. Using the information gathered to date thanks to the scheme, Staffordshire County Council can explore avenues to deliver this work in the future.