A VISION of a vibrant Studley at the heart of a network of footpaths and cycle tracks has been put forward by district councillor Justin Kerridge (Con, Studley & Mappleborough Green).
The aim would be to promote a healthier lifestyle and bring more visitors into the village while leaving the car at home.
“We need a big draw, something to bring people into the village, something that could support and encourage the retail mix,” said Coun Kerridge.
“The one thing that keeps coming up is the idea of a cyclepath from Redditch; a cyclepath is accessible to everyone, you can run, jog, cycle, or push a pram on it, you could go around the village, or into the centre and it would really increase the leisure offer in Studley.”
He added that such a route would also promote a healthy lifestyle, help combat obesity but also work as a practical means of getting to and from work.
And with a cafe and its range of pubs, the village could be turned into a destination of choice.
“There is a real energy and a buzz about Studley, there are so many volunteer groups and every time I talk to them I come away energised,” said Coun Kerridge.
“And this idea is feasible, especially if the parish council, which owns a lot of the land, gets behind it.”
The plan would envisage a path connecting Brickyard Lane running by the ‘new rec’ football field and into the centre of the village via the sports and social club as the first leg of a green network of paved paths.
There would also be a connection to the Sustrans Oxford to Birmingham long distance Route 5 which runs along the old Studley to Redditch railway track.
“Of course money is tight, but we are not talking an awful lot to get this done and grants and funding are available from a variety of sources,” said Coun Kerridge.
