It is not safe for cyclists to use the closed section of Station Road, the county council has said.

Kenilworth Town Council had been in discussion with its county counterparts about the planters being moved to allow cyclists through the shut end of the road.

But Warwickshire County Council said it would not be safe to allow this to happen.

Providing an update at last week's full town council meeting, Cllr Rik Spencer read an email from WCC highways which reiterated that bikes should not be ridden down that section of Station Road.

"The whole objective of this closed area is to create a safe area for pedestrians and if cycling were permitted this could result in a conflict between pedestrians and cyclists," the letter said. 

"This would also be more challenging for tables and chairs to be utilised."

Welcoming the response, Cllr Michael Coker said: "The county council were very clear at the beginning that there should be no cycling down there. And in fact that was one of the reasons we put the boxes there."

He added: "What we are trying to do, and it is starting to happen, is to develop a very nice little area which is beginning to get an atmosphere. 

"I have noticed that people are beginning to sit there on a regular basis."

The town centre street was originally shut in spring 2020 to ease social distancing during the pandemic.

Following a request from Kenilworth Town Council, Warwickshire County Council announced last November that it would remain blocked off into 2022 pending a public consultation.

The extension was originally put in place for up to 18 months, and residents were able to respond to a public consultation which closed at the end of May. 

Station Road is only fully closed for the first 16m from its junction with Warwick Road, with KTC currently building a 'pocket park' in its place.

Cllr Coker also said that should the road be closed permanently, the council could look into repaving it.

"If it stays as it is, it is going to look as if there is construction going on. What should happen of course is the pavement be extended across Station Road and then the stop bit would be paved.

"We would then obviously discuss the possibility of extending that into a mixed traffic pedestrian area because in the area immediately after the stopped area there are only two entrances there to properties."

Cllr Coker added: "What I would like to do is speak to the county to see what the possibilities are and what the costs are and what the likelihood is of them doing it."

He said this would make the square bigger by including the two pavements and make the area "more pleasant".