One-stop bus to safety

A PURPOSE-BUILT bus is being launched to provide public safety messages, help and support.

The CityBus vehicle is being introduced by Leicester City Council’s community safety and protection team, the police and other organisations.

It will be used to tackle issues such as street drinking, rough sleeping and begging in the city centre, as well as outreach work ranging from health advice for sex workers to advice from the police on issues such as knife crime, drug dealing or burglaries.

Organisations offering drink or drug addiction support, such as No. 5 and Turning Point, will also be able to use the vehicle.

The CityBus has been funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and cost about £65,000. It has the backing of the council and Leicester Business Improvement District.

As lockdown restrictions ease, the vehicle will be used at key city centre locations, such as the Clock Tower.

VEHICLE WILL BE USED FOR OUTREACH AND AS HAVEN FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE

It will be a place for people to go if they need help or medical assistance, have been a victim of crime or simply need to feel safe.

Deputy mayor and chairman of the Safer Leicester Partnership, Councillor Piara Singh Clair, said: “We’ve secured funding from the

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to purchase, equip and staff this vehicle to enable it to act as a one-stop point of contact for varying types of outreach work.

“Initially it will be used to help in our work addressing street lifestyle issues, such as rough sleeping, street drinking or begging, and directing people to where help is available.”

Police and crime commissioner Lord (Willy) Bach said: “This resource will provide vital support to people in the city and the nighttime economy, among outreach work.”

COLLABORATION between Leicestershire County Council and a construction firm has been highly commended at the Highways Awards 2020.

Morgan Sindall is working with the council on an improvement scheme on the M1 J23 and the A512 at Loughborough.

With thousands of homes planned for Loughborough and

Shepshed, there were concerns traffic congestion could lead to tailbacks blocking a section of the M1.

The project includes not only improvements at M1 junction 23, but also the remodelling of five junctions on the A512 and upgrading its single carriageway to dual carriageway.

The council and Morgan Sindall

Infrastructure set up working groups focusing on six key areas: health, safety and wellbeing; working with communities; getting it right first time; environment and ecology; cost and efficiency; and innovation.

Judges agreed that the partnership work excelled in many areas, especially community engagement.