Major changes to Crewe Lane in Kenilworth would not be made until Dalehouse Lane has reopened, a county council report has revealed.

Warwickshire County Council will next week make a decision on whether to reduce the speed limit on Crewe Lane to 30mph and whether to effectively cut the road in half.

The local authority was due to decide on the scheme last month but pushed the meeting to give time for more information to be gathered.

If approved, the move will effectively see a 99-metre break in the road outside Kenilworth Golf Club's entrance as a 'prohibition of motor vehicles' section is created on Crewe Lane.

Changes would also see the speed limit reduced from national speed limit to 30mph.

Council papers to be discussed next Friday (June 12) reveal the closed section would not be created until Dalehouse Lane has been reopened by HS2 and the new roundabout on Glasshouse Lane at the junction with Stansfield Grove is complete.

Dalehouse Lane is not scheduled to reopen until June 2027, meanwhile the roundabout works have been continually delayed over the past two years.

A council report also says these two roadworks scheme would need to be finished by December 2027.

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The prohibition order proposed for Crewe Lane (image via Warwickshire County Council)

"A major housing development is located immediately south of Crewe Lane with 640 homes planned," the report said.

"The purpose of the proposed orders is to manage the traffic anticipated to be generated by these developments and to ensure that traffic is directed along the purpose-built spine road through the new development.

"This would relieve pressure on Crewe Lane and make it safer for walking, wheeling and cycling."

Public Objections

A public consultation was launched last year, with 71 objections being received to the prohibition zone, including one from a private plumbing company in Stoneleigh and from Ashow Parish Council.

Kenilworth Town Council did not object, but said the works should not start until the new spine road on the neighbouring Stoneleigh View housing estate is built and open. This as well as the new roundabout at the other end of the estate on Glasshouse Lane.

Both Warwickshire Police and Kenilworth Golf Club supported the changes.

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WCC hopes the change will funnel traffic through the spine road and away from Crewe Lane.

"This new road is designed to separate users and provide a through route, connecting westwards via Glasshouse Lane and another new spine road through Thickthorn Gardens to join the A452," the report said.

"The Oakley Road/ Lancelotte Avenue spine road includes footways on both sides, a two-way cycle track alongside the north side, new access junctions, lighting and a 30mph speed limit."

National to 30mph?

There was more support for plans to reduce the speed limit on Crewe Lane to 30mph.

There were just two objections but 25 notices of support.

"The benefits of the proposed orders are: Reduced speed and reduced motor traffic on Crewe Lane," the council report said.

"This creates a more attractive environment, reducing conflict between all road users and encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle."

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The speed limit on Crewe Lane could be dropped to 30mph (image via WCC)

Who is paying?

The local authority has received £600,871 from the developers behind the Southcrest Farm housing development.

This money comes through a section 106 agreement - a legal document developers must sign and agree to fund local infrastructure required as part of the new development.

The £600,000 is ringfenced for "highway improvements at Crewe Lane and other local highway improvements and the provision of cycling infrastructure within the vicinity of or serving the development or such other highway improvements".

The council said the changes to Crewe Lane - including the signing, lining, lighting changes at the golf club and the emergency gate - will be covered by this pot.

A decision on the changes to Crewe Lane will be made by the portfolio holder for transport and planning Cllr Stephen Shaw next week.