Chance to have say on plans to improve village centre
Residents in Kegworth have a chance to give their views on a £1million scheme to create a vibrant village centre in what has been described as a once in a lifetime opportunity, writes
Mike Elliott.
Earlier improvement proposals have been updated as a result of a big financial commitment of £500,000 from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, £450,000 from North West Leicestershire District Council and £50,000 from Kegworth Parish Council.
The aim is to reclaim the heart of an historic village by creating a focal point for cultural and social events, supporting the future success of local businesses, making Kegworth safer and cleaner by slowing traffic and improving access to the village for cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme is a follow on from the bypass which opened in 2018 which took traffic away from the village centre.
The aim now is to make the village centre more welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists.
Further ideas include one-off community and cultural events designed to increase footfall in the centre of the village and benefit local businesses.
The whole of the Market Place will be re-surfaced and a covered area for events, new seating and planting will make the space welcoming and relaxing.
It will no longer be dominated by cars and vans with just nine parking spaces retained. Some of these will be for use by drivers with blue badges and people with very young children.
Car parking will be in approximately 150 on-street and car-park spaces available within five minutes’ walk of Market Place. Seventy five of these are less than two minutes walk away with existing time restrictions on parking space remaining.
A cycling strategy is being developed with up to two new routes to and from the village to employment and local town centres to encourage walking and cycling for both commuting and leisure. Secure bike parking facilities will be available in the Market Place.
New gateways will promote responsible driving at key entry points to Kegworth - on Whatton Road, Station Road, London Road and Derby Road.
A programme of traffic calming measures will be designed to make the village feel safer, cleaner and a place where people will feel more comfortable to walk.
People living and working in the village have the chance to comment on the plans over a three week time schedule between Wednesday, November 4 to Tuesday November 24.
A survey will be made available for people to complete.
This will be available online and paper copies will be in selected shops in the village. Completed surveys should be delivered to the Parish Council offices at 1 London Road, Kegworth.