Lancaster Road crossing green light
County council agrees to fund town-centre scheme
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of funding has been approved for a series of road improvements in Hinckley.
Among the schemes given the green light is the creation of a pedestrian crossing at Lancaster Road. Campaigners have long called for a crossing to allow people a safer passage from the town centre to The Crescent.
Just days before Leicestershire County Council agreed to the Hinckley projects a new non-political community lobby group Together handed in a petition demanding action on the busy road.
Roger Hill, co-ordinator of Together said: “We are absolutely delighted. It proves the importance of letting our elected officials know what we the public want. Now we must press for the shortest time between decision and execution.”
As well as the crossing the £800,000 earmarked will enable works at the Derby Road/ John Street unction, the Ashby Road/Derby Road junction and extension of cycle routes on Dean Road and Dean Road West.
While the investment has been welcomed locally there remains concern about the increasing level of traffic in the town and across the borough, compounded by the everexpanding urban boundaries.
These works are also only part of the improvements the county had hoped to complete in Hinckley but have had to postpone due to lack of cash.
Borough and county councillor David Bill said he was pleased the Lancaster Road situation was being addressed.
He said: “I think a crossing should have been put there when The Crescent was being developed and I’m not sure why that was missed.
“Of course the investment is welcome but anyone can see that there are a whole ring of junctions in and around the town centre which need improvements. At peak times it is a nightmare trying to get in and out of the town.”