Two teenage cycling campaigners have called on the county council leader to explain why the Kenilworth to Leamington Cycleway is so far behind schedule.

Warwickshire County Council approved plans for the K2L route in January 2021, but with it supposed to open next year, no planning application has been submitted yet.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe told Nub News it could be another four years away.

But Campaigners Isadora McAinsh, 13, and George Bell, 14, said action needs to be taken now.

"We would hope that after the county council met with the young people of Kenilworth campaigning for children to cycle safely to school last Saturday that these obstacles to K2L would be overcome without delay," they said.

"It was great to be told by Izzi Seccombe and Jeremy Wright that they are committed to addressing the climate emergency that they have declared, and that the 'bolder steps' we asked for, they are willing to take.

"Therefore enable your community and voters to do what you recognise is important and provide safe cycleways without delay.

"Four years is too late to tackle a climate emergency and child safety."

Speaking to Nub News after Saturday's presentation, Cllr Seccombe said that the £4.75million Cycleway was delayed by the need to issue compulsory purchase orders and by the "technical engineering needed".

She said: "It is one of our more difficult schemes and it was always going to be a medium term scheme. We have got it underway but it's not going to be tomorrow."

Isadora and George are now calling on the council leader to explain these delays to residents.

"You agreed to meet with the young people of Kenilworth (Pedal to Protect) in a few weeks to discuss your progress. We invite you to explain the problems to the community and we will work with you to solve them before a child gets killed on the road," they said.

"As said on Saturday, we will stand behind you and support you in these actions as we are thinking of the children, their safety and their rights.

"And as we look forward to the future in protecting them within our neighbourhood, town and community, we will make sure we reduce those CO2 emissions before 2030, a goal we are currently not on track to reaching.

"Thank you again - we have not a second to lose!"