New footpath to connect RAF Museum Midlands and Cosford railway station
A new footpath is to be constructed along the road from RAF Museum Midlands to Cosford railway station, after Shropshire Council secured the £350,000 required from Active Travel England.
The construction of the path is much needed at a location where – during the Cosford Air Show – thousands of people are currently having to walk along the road with no safe refuge.
New street lighting will also be installed alongside the new footpath as part of the work.
Work is planned for the end of June and is due to be completed in time for the school summer holidays in July.
The project has already attracted national interest and there are discussions in place with West Midlands Rail Executive to help support the extra pedestrians visiting RAF Museum Midlands.
During the work the speed limit on the road will be reduced to 30mph to help ensure the safety of the workforce, and will then remain 30mph after the work.
Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:
“A safe walking route from Cosford station to the RAF Museum Midlands has been a missing link for a long time. This will help residents and visitors to have more choices about how they travel. With the museum attracting nearly half a million visitors annually, and over 50,000 attending the annual air show, this will help to alleviate some of the pressure on local roads.
“To have secured the full £350,000 from Active Travel England demonstrates that Shropshire Council is ready to deliver improvements for walking and cycling across the county. I want to thank our staff who submitted the successful funding bid and look forward to seeing the scheme completed later in the year.”
Elizabeth Barker, Shropshire Councillor for Shifnal Rural, said:
“I am incredibly pleased with the news of this new footpath, new street lighting and proposed speed reduction from national speed limit to 30mph. This will provide a much safer route to the train station, houses and museum for the residents of Cosford and the tourists who visit regularly. It will also provide a secure refuge for the thousands of people who navigate the route from the station to the museum for air show days.
“The project has received an impressive £350,000 in external funding from Active Travel England, thanks to the diligent efforts of our new active travel manager, and is a testament to our commitment to making our community safer and more accessible for all, especially our children and families.”
