One-way system could be introduced in Desford to help tackle HGV problems
Traffic management is a major issue in the village
RESIDENTS of Desford are being consulted on implementing a one-way system to alleviate problems with HGV traffic in the village.
The restriction will prevent vehicles approaching the High Street mini roundabout from the Kirkby Road direction from continuing along the road and will force traffic to go up Main Street.
Signs on the roundabout have previously been struck by wide vehicles struggling to get round.
The one-way system will continue up Main Street on to Newbold Road and up to the junction with Lindridge Lane, and it will also be in place on Holmfield Road, meaning vehicles can only head down to Kirkby Road.
Main Street becomes narrow near Desford Medical Centre and parked vehicles are often scraped by passing traffic.
Desford Parish Council has published a notice in its website with a map of the proposed road layout.
It said in the notice: “We recognise that traffic management is the major issue for many in our village. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and HGV drivers are all affected by the amount of traffic passing down our narrow streets.
“The areas most affected appear to be High Street, Peckleton Lane and Main Street.
“Safety of all concerned has to be our top priority, as well as improving traffic flow.
“Your parish council is in continuous dialogue with local industry in an attempt to try and minimise the amount of HGV traffic.
“We have regular meetings with Neovia and Caterpillar. In addition, we have engaged with Poundstretcher and will be part of a future local forum to discuss any issues with them.”
Concrete bell bollards were installed on the High Street roundabout in August 2018 in efforts to dissuade lorry drivers, but two of them were struck by lorries only a week later.
One Desford resident said the one-way system would greatly inconvenience them.
They said: “I’ve got no opinion on making High Street one-way – that may or may not make things better for people living near it. But I’m against the idea of making Main Street and Newbold Road one way.
“We live near the church and it’s going to mean driving a mile all the way around the back of the village to get back to the junction on the B582 – the main road to Leicester – which is 50 yards from our house.
“Rather than detour around the village, people living near the library will use Church Lane as a rat-run to the B582. Lots of dog walkers and cyclists use the lane, so it would be a danger to them.
“You can’t make Church Lane one-way either because people living along it will have to make an even longer detour to get all the way back on to the B582. It would be a big pain for a lot of households. I hope the council reconsiders.”
Traffic in the area is set to increase, as plans were recently approved for an estate of 80 homes on the outskirts of Desford, opposite Bosworth Academy.
There are also plans underway for 120 homes off Kirkby Road, which several residents have objected to.
Comments can be sent in writing to c/o Desford Library, Main Street, Desford, Leicester, LE9 9JP, or via email to clerk@ desfordparishcouncil.co.uk. The closing date for the consultation is October 30.