Is set to be next week
DILAPIDATED: Sir Peter Soulsby says the removal of the footbridge across Burleys Way will allow the regeneration around the new St Margaret’s Bus Station - an artist’s impression of which is shown below - to continue
Margaret’s Bus Station is brought up to modern standards, in terms of improving accessibility and building on regeneration already under way in the area.
“The footbridge over Burleys Way, however, is something of an eyesore and can’t be improved upon. For example, it is not possible to add ramps for people with wheelchairs, bicycles, mobility scooters or pushchairs to use it. The whole bridge is also in need of maintenance and quite extensive repairs.
“Removing the bridge will enable regeneration work around St Margaret’s Bus Station to continue, including creating a more accessible crossing point for pedestrians and cycles in due course.”
Elsewhere, in Narborough, three road bridges in Aylestone village are to undergo extensive repair work over the coming months.
The council says major repairs are needed to the Middleton Street Canal Bridge and the Middleton Street Overflow Bridge, along with replacement of the surfacing on Braunstone Lane East bridge, which between them carry the road over waterways including the Grand Union Canal and River Biam, a tributary of the River Soar.
Work is due to start on Monday and is expected to last for 14 weeks.
Traffic will not be able to travel over the bridges during the works, but will be able to access Middleton Street on either side of the bridge closures, both from the Aylestone Road and Narborough Road directions.
The work will involve renewing the bridges’ waterproofing systems, road surfacing, re-pointing the brick abutments, updating parapets, installing new crash barriers and carrying out concrete repairs under the bridge.
It is being carried out as part of Leicester City Council’s annual highway maintenance programme in which £4.5 million is spent on road repairs, resurfacing and bridge maintenance across the city.
Leicester deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, Councillor Adam Clarke said: “The Middleton Street and Braunstone Lane East route is a well-used road connecting Aylestone to the western part of the city, and naturally the wear and tear over the years means we need to carry out these repairs from time to time.
“It is vital that we ensure these bridges remain safe for all road users for years to come, and unfortunately that means closing the road over them while these necessary and fairly extensive repairs are carried out.
“Fortunately, we’ll be able to ensure that pedestrian and cycle access remains open throughout the works, rather than completely closing this busy route.”