A61 ACTIVE TRAVEL

Published 25 January 2021 at 12:00am

Loca Authority: BMBC

Funding Programme: Transforming Cities Fund

SYMCA Funding: £4,876,490 / Total Project Value: £4,876,490

Implementation Stage: Delivered

The A61 Active Travel Scheme was a package of measures to promote walking and cycling connectivity between Barnsley and Royston via Smithies.  It delivered 3 x new crossings, 12 x improved crossings, 5 new cycle parking spaces, 4680m of improved active travel route.  The scheme was complete by December 2023.

This is what BMBC wesbite says

The scheme delivered 8.5km of improvements to sections of a continuous off-road active travel route between the town centre and Royston.

The aim of the scheme was to make it easier and encourage people to include active travel in all aspects of their lives. Better connected, more inclusive infrastructure is key in helping us achieve this goal.

 The improvements the scheme delivered are as follows:

• Creation of a new 3m wide all-weather active travel track on the former rail line between Lee Lane, Royston, and Bar lane, Mapplewell, branching off around Athersley North.
• Creation of a new route off of Smithies Lane improving access to existing track around New Lodge connecting to Bar Lane, Mapplewell.
• Widening of footways along Smithies Lane.
• Crossing upgrades and footway widening from the A61 gyratory up Harborough Hill Road as far as Mottram Street.
• This scheme was delivered under budget and the unspent money made sure components from other schemes which connect to the main works were also delivered.

The following improvements were delivered using the schemes underspend:

• Footway widening along Bar Lane, Mapplewell.
• Widening and resurfacing of the Trans Pennine Trail between Oakwell and Stairfoot.
• Widening and resurfacing of routes within the Dearne Valley Park between the A61 gyratory and Grange Lane.
• The scheme was funded via the Transforming Cities Fund, from central government, and delivered in partnership with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).