Work finally starts on crossing for The Crescent
WORK has started on a long-awaited pedestrian crossing in the town centre.
The fixture on Lancaster Road outside The Crescent is being installed by Leicestershire County Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
The county council said the crossing is intended “to improve pedestrian access to nearby amenities and provide a safe crossing point area”.
Councillor Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m delighted that work is set to start on building a zebra crossing, which will improve safety for pedestrians in Hinckley.
“We will endeavour to complete the work as quickly as possible, while keeping any disruption to a minimum.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Weather permitting, the works should take around three weeks to complete, with planners hoping to have it finished by the week commencing January 28.
The majority of work willl take place during offpeak hours from 9am to 3.30pm.
The construction of the zebra crossing will be completed in two parts; only one side of the road will be worked on at any one time.
No diversion routes will be required.
Leicestershire County Council Highways issued a three-week closure notice for the layby on Lancaster Road while the zebra crossing is installed.
The council said: “The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order will be implemented for public safety for installation of kerbed build out and zebra crossing.”
Council bosses pushed back already delayed plans to have the installation in place by the end of 2018 to prevent disruption over the Christmas shopping period.
Work was meant to begin by the end of February 2018 on installing the crossing a few metres from the junction with Station Road, but the project was postponed after pipes and electric cables were found beneath the location.
Planners found a new site 20 metres from the original location and said the works would go ahead later in 2018.
Many people have said the busy thoroughfare needs a place for pedestrians to cross, with hundreds signing a petition on change organisation website 38 Degrees since The Crescent opened.