Plans for a 21-mile cycleway linking Birmingham, Coventry and rural Warwickshire have been backed by Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street.

The Guardian has reported the Conservative mayor has written to HS2 asking to keep its haul roads and maintenance tracks along the new line to make a new cycle network.

Local authorities across the region are said to be in favour of the scheme which will "maximise HS2's benefits for the region".

Funding for the project is expected to come from local authorities, developer and HS2 levies and levelling up funding, as well as other sources.

No exact details of a route, or which haul roads would be kept have been revealed.

The national publication reported Mr Street said: "I'm determined to maximise HS2's benefits for the region and a high-quality active travel route, enabled by HS2 construction and supported by local authorities, is a no-brainer for so many reasons.

Andy Street has written to HS2 asking to convert its haul roads into cycleways (image via WMCA)

"This is an opportunity to connect cities like Birmingham and Coventry but also improve local and rural connectivity in Solihull and Warwickshire.

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"The proposed route runs near growth zones in east Birmingham and Solihull, as well as the investment zone in Birmingham's knowledge quarter, meaning we can use this infrastructure to provide access to the high-quality green jobs of the future."

HS2 told the Guardian it is looking at 20 different locations for pilots between London and Birmingham.

The high speed rail developer confirmed last year it would be upgrading access to the Kenilworth Greenway.

The Balsall Common end of the route is regularly flooded and has been "unpassable for many years".

The greenway has been temporarily diverted during construction of the rail line, and will be moved again once the route is complete.