Four months of roadworks on busy road set to begin
FOUR months of roadworks are set to begin on one of Leicester’s busiest roads from Monday.
Highways engineers are planning a range of changes along Strasbourg Drive in Beaumont Leys as part of a £450,000 package of measures to try to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
These include blocking up the dingy Lismore Walk underpass beneath Strasbourg Drive.
Leicester City Council says the area will be re-landscaped to create new footpaths and cycle routes to the north and south of Strasbourg Drive.
A new parallel crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will be established.
Footpaths will be widened, new planting will take place and some road resurfacing will also be carried out as part of the scheme.
Deputy city mayor Councillor Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “The existing underpass is fairly grotty and not at all welcoming.
“By replacing it with a much more attractive and safer route, we hope to encourage more people to walk and cycle.
“It is an important part of the Connecting Leicester Neighbourhoods Project, which will see new investment to upgrade existing walking and cycling
TO IMPROVE AREA
routes linking key workplaces, schools and shops in Beaumont Leys.”
Leicester Conservatives deputy chairman Rhys Brown said: “A lot of residents actually like this area as it is and feel they were not consulted on these proposals, which the council is now bulldozing through.”
Lane restrictions with temporary traffic signals will be in place on part of Strasbourg Drive throughout the works.
Farrier Lane will also be closed at its junction with Strasbourg Drive. Diversions will be in place.
Any temporary footpath closures will be well-signed with suggested alternative routes.
The scheme will be paid for through the government’s Transforming Cities Fund following the council’s successful bid for £32 million.
Work is expected to take around four months to complete.