PLANS to install a cycle lane could reduce parking for town centre workers.
As part of an agreement between Sainsbury’s and Worcestershire County Council a cycle lane could run down Fishing Line Road to provide access to the store off the Alvechurch Highway.
As the Standard reported last week, Redditch Borough councillors approved the store expansion which included improvement works on Lydham Close underpass and the introduction of a cycle route.
But currently people working in the town centre use both sides of the road to park their cars and the installation of a new lane could mean restrictions are put in place.
Some of the options available include putting the lane on the pavement but it usually needs to be at least three metres wide.
Another would be a mandatory cycle lane where the lane would be marked with a continuous white line and is supported by a Traffic Regulation Order which prohibits vehicles from driving or parking in the lane.
The option of an advisory cycle lane would be marked with a broken white line and would have no Traffic Regulation Order.
Graham Vickery, Worcestershire County councillor for Redditch North, said he encouraged the introduction of a cycle lane but the impact on those wanting to park their cares there would need to be assessed.
He added it would be part of a wider strategic review of on-street parking around the town centre.
A spokesman from Worcestershire County Council said the exact details of the plans were yet to be confirmed and they were still in discussions with Sainsbury’s.
Coun John Smith OBE, responsible for highways on the county council, said: “There is an existing planning permission for this site which has a S106 agreement associated which caters for cycling improvements in the area.
“Sainsbury’s have submitted a new planning application for this site which will achieve the same goal in relation to cycling improvements.”
