A NEW travel point in Halesowen town centre attracted a visit from a Government minister who met with MP Alex Ballinger.

The Minister for the Future of Roads Lillian Greenwood visited the new travel point on Andrew Road car park, opposite Halesowen Bus Station.

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The Local Travel Point is a new cycling hub for the town, with West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes available, including regular bikes and eBikes, as well as bike storage.

Alongside the cycling hub new charging points are being installed and electric cars will be available to hire.

There is also a travel point at Huntingtree Park, Halesowen and another to come on Cross Street.

They were designed and developed by Transport for West Midlands in partnership with Dudley Council and Black Country Transport, funded by the Department for Transport.

(Image: Handout)

Minister Lillian Greenwood said: “It’s great to visit Halesowen and see how Local Travel Points are giving people more options for getting around.

“Cycling is a fantastic and healthy way to travel, which is why this government is working to make it more accessible.

“We are committed to greener transport and cycling plays an important part of our strategy.”

Halesowen MP Alex Ballinger said: “I’m a cyclist, and I’m delighted to see Transport for West Midlands making cycling more accessible for people in Halesowen.

“Not everyone is comfortable cycling, but this Travel Point gives people who haven’t cycled for a while an easy way to give it a go.

"It’s a really handy way to get about the town.

“This is just a pilot, I’d like to see more Travel Points set up across the Black Country to make it even easier to get around.”