We’ve transformed a disused railway in the heart of Warwickshire by creating nearly 5 miles of off-road sealed surface track, and Warwickshire’s longest greenway providing a haven for wildlife. But there’s still more work to do to realise our ambition of creating a truly connected network between Leamington Spa and Rugby.
What is the Lias Line?
The Lias Line stretches across the beautiful Warwickshire countryside through Rugby, Long Itchington and Leamington Spa, before heading west towards the Grand Union canal.
Named after the stone buried beneath it, the railway line closed in 1985 after 134 years transporting minerals and passengers.
The route encompasses a section of discussed railway line which we’ve lovingly redeveloped to create 4.6 miles (7.5 km) of traffic-free greenway.
What we've done so far
2018
- A review of the National Cycle Network found the route in poor condition.
2020
- Planning permission submitted by Sustrans to improve the Lias Line.
2021
- Work started on improving the Lias Line, as part of the Paths for Everyone project.
2022
- First phase of the works completed, consisting of improvements to the ‘branch line’ which takes the route south from Hunningham to Long Itchington. As well as a new surface, there's a horse-trotting strip and specially constructed pools for the rare great crested newts that live along the route.
- Two steel figures, installed in October 2022, were the first of 30 to be installed across England as part of The Portrait Benches project in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
2023 and 2024
- We’ve been making improvements to the ‘main line’ east from Hunningham which has seen improvements to the surface, and a new bridge across the A423 near Marton.
Night-time installation of a new bridge on the Lias Line across Oxford Road (A423) near Marton. Credit: Sustrans
We worked closely with Long Itchington Parish Council at the design stage and involved residents and other key stakeholders every step of the way.
The result is the creation of nearly 5 miles of off-road route with a sealed surface, providing safer and more accessible walking and cycling routes through the countryside.
The route has also become Warwickshire’s longest greenway, serving as a verdant oasis for flora and fauna.
Improvements still to come
Improvements are continuing to the ‘main line’ section of the route and the path will cross the Fosse Way once HS2 completes a bridge link in 2025.
This will close a gap of 120m and link the Lias Line into the Offchurch Greenway. At this point, Route 41 of the National Cycle Network will officially be redesignated, so it runs through the new off-road sections instead of along the highway.
In the long-term subject to funding, It’s our aspiration to improve an additional 4 km (2.5 miles) of off-road cycle route on the Lias Line.
We want to continue east from the new bridge at Marton along the old railway ‘main line’ to create a new off-road track to improve connectivity with Birdingbury, Rugby and other nearby villages.
Finally, it's our aspiration to improve connections to the south with improved links into the Stockton reservoir.
A haven for wildlife
As nature recaptured this abandoned railway line, wildlife and biodiversity thrived.
We’ve worked alongside nature to support biodiversity as we developed the route. For instance, our team noticed that pools had formed in tyre tracks along the route, which were home to great-crested newts.
Working with Warwickshire County Council’s Ecology and Landscape team, we incorporated these pools into our design process and enhanced them, and they continue to support this rare species of newt.
We installed bat boxes and worked closely with Warwickshire Butterfly Conservation group to improve the habitat for the common blue butterfly.
Our volunteer teams have also been out planting trees along the route. We're planning more events to encourage people to get involved with planting and wildlife spotting.
Common blue butterfly. Credit: Laura White/Sustrans
2025
In 2025, the traffic-free section will be extended further after a new bridge is completed.
50 tonnes
A new bridge added to the route weighed in at 50 tonnes, and measures 34m in length and 4m in width.
A visit from BBC Countryfile
In 2022, BBC Countryfile presenters Matt Baker and Ellie Harrison explored the Lias Line greenway.
They took particular interest in our extensive ecological and biodiversity enhancement work, along with a recently opened section of the line.
The Countryfile team met with Jim Whiteford, our Senior Ecologist, and Carmen Szeto, Senior Network Development Manager.
We’re delighted that the Lias Line was celebrated in this way, inspiring many more people to get active and explore the great outdoors via the National Cycle Network.
The Lias Line. Credit: Sustrans
