A decision on the first section of the much-delayed Kenilworth to Leamington cycleway is expected this week.

If approved the scheme would see the footpath along the A452 Kenilworth Road widened to create a continuous off-road cycle route.

In places the footpath would be mixed cycling and pedestrian use and in other places it would be segregated.

The plans would also see a puffin crossing on Lillington Avenue converted into a toucan crossing for cycle use.

The works form section 1a of the K2L project and are estimated to cost £725,000.

On Friday (January 13) Cllr Wallace Redford, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport and planning, will make a decision on whether to press forward with the current designs.

The council held a public consultation on the first part of the scheme in September and received 175 responses.

Of those 70 per cent were in favour of widening the pavement for shared cycling and pedestrian use.

And 77 per cent were in favour of the toucan crossing.

"Transport is the single largest cause of carbon emissions in the UK," the report said. 

"This project will provide cycling infrastructure which will enable more journeys to be made by cycle, thereby contributing to reduced carbon emissions as well as lower levels of congestion and improved air quality."

If Cllr Redford signs off on the designs this week it will be the first major step forward for the project.

With the budget approved in 2020, the 5km cycleway was given the green light fully by councillors in January 2021, but the council is yet to finish most of the design.

The project - which could take another four years to complete - will also see a new foot and cycle bridge built over the River Avon near Chesford Grange.

The Kenilworth Road Cycle Route is the first scheme within K2L Section 1: Leamington Spa town centre to Bericote roundabout.