Published: Tuesday, 17th July 2018
Funding provided to Cannock Chase Council following the granting of planning permission to Tesco for its store in Rugeley is set to benefit walkers, cyclists and canal users using the town, the nearby canal and a major business park.
Members of the Council’s Cabinet have agreed that £218,960 can now be spent to complete pedestrian and cycle links between the store, town centre, Towers Business Park and the Trent and Mersey Canal.
In 2014 links were improved between the store and the town centre but now further and extensive improvements will see the canal and the business park become more accessible for those on foot or a bike.
The money comes from the remaining funding as part of the S106 Agreement signed between the Council and the retailer in 2011. Improving local walking and cycling links was a key requirement in granting permission to Tesco.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said: “From creating a new disability compliant ramped access to the canal beside Leathermill Lane bridge right through to improving the canal towpath and creating hard surfaced routes along Love Lane to the canal between rail bridges, there is something here for everyone keen to enjoy the canal, town centre or get to the business park in a more sustainable way.
“It’s all part of the objectives of the 2014 Rugeley Town Centre Action Plan to improve local walking and cycling routes for residents and visitors to access the canal and the town centre in a more pleasurable way than has previously been possible.”
With backing secured from the Canal and Rivers Trust and Staffordshire County Council, the canal access scheme work is expected to be completed in 2018/19 and the footway and cycleway improvements and links in 2019/20.
Photograph:
Councillor Gordon Alcott.