Earlswood Lakes – The Causeway Trial Closure

The Causeway (the three roads around the lakes comprising the end of Malthouse Lane and Valley Road) serves as a single-lane road, which can create conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, anglers, equestrians and cyclists.

We were exploring an 18‑month trial closure of The Causeway. This survey was to help shape whether and how this trial went ahead.

There were 1,541 responses. Of these, 1,191 were submitted via the Ask Warwickshire online survey platform and 350 were paper copies.

• Most respondents selected resident (86.5%, n=1,312) as their reason for interest in the survey, 47 (3.1%) selected organisation and 45 (3.0%) selected business. A further 113 (7.5%) respondents selected ‘other’, which included visitors (3.6%, n=54) and family/friends of residents (2.2%, n=34).
• Most respondents lived in either Earlswood (elsewhere) (30.8%, n=470), Earlswood (Malthouse Lane) (30.7%, n=468) or a nearby village or town (26.7%, n=408). A further 105 respondents selected Solihull (6.9%) with smaller numbers selecting other options.
• Respondents were asked to select the reason(s) they used The Causeway. The option selected most frequently was walking along/across The Causeway (62.6%, n=958). Other options selected frequently were using The Causeway in a vehicle mainly to access homes / land / businesses (47.9%, n=734), using The Causeway in a vehicle as a through route/crossing (43.2%, n=662) and using The Causeway in a vehicle mainly to visit Earlswood Lakes (29.5%, n=451).
• The majority of respondents used The Causway most days (61.2%, n=935) with the next most common selection being a few times a week (21.0%, n=321). Options for less frequent use of The Causeway were selected by fewer respondents.

Support for the trial
Opinions were polarised; the majority of individuals selected strongly support (58.3%, n=892), however, the next most commonly selected option was strongly oppose (33.6%, n=515). All other options were selected by fewer than 10% of respondents.

• While support was generally high across most respondent interest groups, the strongest differences were linked to where people lived and how they used the route. Opposition was highest among residents living on Malthouse Lane, where strongly oppose was the most common response, whereas respondents living elsewhere in Earlswood, in nearby villages and towns, and in other locations were more likely to strongly support the proposal. Support was also lower among those who access The Causeway by vehicle to access homes, businesses or as a through route, while higher levels of support were observed among those using the area for recreation, including walking, cycling and visiting Earlswood Lakes.
• Those using The Causeway most days were more likely to oppose the proposal, while respondents who used it less often were generally more supportive.

Aspects of the trial seen as positive and negative

• Positive aspects of the proposed trial identified included improved safety for pedestrians (23.7%, n=249), reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour (21.9%, n=230), improved safety of the area (16.8%, n=177), with a further 116 (11.0%) suggesting it was a good opportunity to test the impact a closure would have/general support for the proposal.
• Negative aspects of the proposed trial closure included longer journeys and reduced access (26.1%, n=270), issue for surrounding roads/additional traffic (25.7%, n=266), concerns that crime and anti-social behaviour will move instead of being addressed (13.1%, n=136), parking concerns (12.1%, n=125) and 93 comments saying everything is negative (9.0%).

The survey also asked about structures and services required to support any potential trial closure.

• The most frequently selected option was enforcement (82.0%, n=1,032), narrowly followed by signage (81.7%, n=1,028). Over half of respondents also selected monitoring (58.1%, n=732) and communication and updates (55.4%, n=698), whilst slightly under half of the respondents selected parking arrangements (43.8%, n=552) and enhanced amenities (42.5%, n=535). There were a further 139 comments that provided more details and other ideas, the most frequent of these being on enforcement and road layout.

To read the full analysis report click on this link.

Based on the unprecedented response received from informal engagement, and whilst we recognise the weight of feeling both for and against closing The Causeway, there was a majority who supported the proposed trial closure and as such we will develop a proposal for a trial in 2027. The trial proposal will be informed by the feedback received through the engagement. 

For further information on the project please contact highwaysbusinesssupport@warwickshire.gov.uk.