Long-running plans to create a new cycle path in Abbey Fields have been delayed once again, with a planning public consultation now due to take place later this spring.

Warwick District Council's (WDC) cabinet last year committed to ask residents for their views on the scheme, over a year after it had chosen a preferred route.

The six-week consultation was expected to start in early 2025, but the local authority has confirmed to Nub News it will now be pushed until after the Warwickshire County Council elections at the start of May.

“Warwick District Council will be undertaking a consultation with the public on a proposed cycle path through Abbey Fields in May 2025," a council spokesperson told Nub News.

"The consultation was originally due to commence in February 2025, however this would not allow sufficient time for responses to be gathered before entering the pre-election period for the Warwickshire County Council elections, which limits consultation activity.”

Historic England has also caused delays to the project as it raised concerns about the route the link would take through Abbey Fields.

The design for the cycleway could see the path enter from the car park entrance on Bridge Street, go round the new leisure centre and up to Borrowell Lane. 

Two new toucan crossings could also be included in the scheme.

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A council report in 2023 put forward five possible routes through the park, with one preferred option chosen.

The project will effectively see many of the existing paths widened to three metres to allow for walkers and cyclists to use it together - despite calls from locals and Kenilworth Town Council.

WDC had anticipated the construction could start in spring 2026 - but this estimate was made before the latest delay.

Speaking at last week's full Kenilworth Town Council meeting, Cllr Andrew Milton said: "There has been quite a lot of interest in the public consultation, which I can assure members and members of the public, will take place and is part of the plan.

"That scheme has met with some delays, particularly in terms of agreeing the details of the proposed route with Historic England.

"There is one area where they have request to change from what the district council has proposed."