Footbridge taken down

70S LANDMARK ACROSS INNER RING ROAD ON ITS WAY OUT

AN old and leaky footbridge on one of the main roads in the city is set to be demolished as part of a £10 million redevelopment of the area.

The 1970s footbridge which spans Burleys Way, opposite St Margaret’s Bus Station, will be dismantled as part of the government-funded St Margaret’s Gateway scheme, with the work starting next Friday night.

The bus station is also set for a major revamp as part of the scheme, which will also see new cycling and walking routes being created.

The ageing concrete and metal footbridge, described by the council as “leaky” and “badly in need of maintenance”, cannot be used by cyclists, people with pushchairs or those with mobility problems.

It is being removed at the beginning of next month, and the ring road will be closed in both directions overnight from 9pm on Friday, October 2, until 9am on Saturday in order to carry out preparatory works and dismantle the main bridge span section over the clockwise carriageway.

The route will close again to all traffic overnight from 6pm on Saturday, October 3, until 8am on Sunday to dismantle the main bridge span sections over the anti-clockwise carriageway and bus station entrance, along with the concrete pillar on the central reserve.

The concrete steps at either end of the bridge will be demolished on Sunday morning, and the road is planned to reopen fully to traffic at 6pm on Sunday, October 4.

The work is expected to cost about £135,000, and is being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund award.

Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Extensive redevelopment is planned to ensure the area around St