Sandwell Council is starting work on a ‘Tiger Crossing’ and new canal access at Heath Street Smethwick on Monday 16 June.
A “tiger crossing” is an informal name for a parallel crossing, a type of pedestrian and cycle crossing that gives priority to both of them. They are designed to allow cyclists to cross a road without dismounting and with priority, alongside pedestrians. They are marked with a zebra crossing for pedestrians and a parallel strip for cyclists.
The work, which is scheduled to be complete in August and should cause little or no traffic disruption is part of the Government funded Smethwick Connected project.
The Smethwick Connected project will create cycle and pedestrian links from two railway stations to the town centre and local hospital and aims to increase the number of people using active travel modes such as walking and cycling within Smethwick, the wider borough and region.
The project also aims to assist in reducing congestion, poor air quality, give more travel choice and other health inequalities.
This phase of the project will create a pedestrian and cycle link from Heath Street to Birmingham Oldline Canal Corridor, which is designated as National Cycle Route Number 5.
The towpaths were already resurfaced in 2018 and connect Smethwick with Oldbury, Tipton, Wolverhampton and Birmingham City Centre.
Councillor Keith Allcock, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Environment, said:
“I welcome the start of this work which once completed will give local residents a safer crossing and more confidence to walk and cycle around the area. It has the added aim of reducing local traffic congestion, which in itself could improve the air quality for all residents.”