Leicester regeneration projects to boost business and pedestrianise areas
Two regeneration projects to make areas in Leicester more pedestrian friendly will begin early next year.
An improvement scheme will take place on Narborough Road, while Braunstone Gate will be transformed into a ‘Mini Holland’ by installing cycling infrastructure, improving walking routes and reducing car access.
Redevelopment work began at Braunstone Gate in May to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists by limiting vehicle access, closing the road to unnecessary traffic at busy times and creating wider pavements areas for shops, bars and cafes.
Leicester Deputy City Mayor for transport, clean air and climate emergency, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: ‘These works both in Braunstone Gate and Narborough Road aim to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and make it easier to access these shops, bars and other local businesses safely.
‘Some of the work is straightforward repairs and improvements to pavements and street furniture such as cycle racks and bollards, whereas in Braunstone Gate we are working on the latest phase of a more comprehensive redesign to transform the street for the better.’
Pavements will be made more people-friendly by reduce pavement parking with new bollards and cycle racks, while broken or loose slabs will be replaced and drainage will be improved.
Maintenance work has been carried out in stages on Narborough Road over the last two years, with the latest phase to take 10 weeks.
Work will also continue at Braunstone Gate as part of the £1.5m regeneration scheme, with funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
The latest phase will focus on removing the existing left-turn lane from Braunstone Gate onto Narborough Road, resurfacing and creating a new footway.
An existing pavement will also be re-laid, while trees with roots that are damaging the footpaths will be removed and replaced. A bus stop at the southern end of Braunstone Gate will also be moved onto Narborough Road.
Photo by Flo Karr