Closure of ring road lane tested
An experimental lane closure on a stretch of ring road will come into effect this weekend.
The trial closure in Newarke Street, Leicester, is designed to assess the impact of a proposed scheme to widen the footpath on one side of the road.
From Sunday, , the left lane of three will be shut.
Buses and other traffic will still be able to enter Pocklington's Walk.
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Highway officials at the city council said they would be assessing the trial on an "ongoing basis" and that the duration of the lane closure would be dependent on their findings.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "As it stands, Newarke Street is not the most pedestrian-friendly street, yet it is a perfect link between the city centre and the old town.
"We want to address the dominance of traffic in Newarke Street and make it a safer and more attractive route for pedestrians.
"But we need to look carefully at the impact removing a lane of traffic will have on what we know is a busy route."
If the proposed scheme is given the go-ahead on a permanent basis, it will cost about £300,000 and be part-funded by the Department for Transport.
Comments
by karinfall1955
Monday, January 07 2013, 6:22PM
“Given the tailbacks this will cause and the accompanying pollution may I ask if we are still known as a 'green' city? I think that will be green as in naive before too long.”
by Neil0123
Monday, January 07 2013, 6:11PM
“A Brilliant idea but it can be improved up on.... Lets restrict one of the remaining lanes to buses & cyclists only as well. (Crazy idea, so I'm sure some loon at New Walk centre will try it?)”
by Rodders65
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:52AM
“With all this stop go traffic and the potential gridlocks I am so glad I don't venture into the city centre anymore, I'll stick to Wigston and Oadby where I have the chance of getting to my destination on time and where the parking is free.”
by Leicester_Bob
Monday, January 07 2013, 9:03AM
“Having just driven along this 2 lane fiasco all I can say is 'what a joke'...whilst stuck in traffic (which was tailbacked to the beginning of the underpass) I was able to count no more than 8 pedestrians. Surely the pavement is wide enough to accommodate such numbers!!”
by No_Fate
Sunday, January 06 2013, 9:50PM
“It will allow all the students to walk, stagger, whatever from the Uni to the city centre!”
by Jagomeister
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:43PM
“Just taken a wonderful stroll out of my home and along the closed lane of Newarke Street. Good work Peter I hope the change becomes permanent.”
by andymel
Sunday, January 06 2013, 1:40PM
“What a good idea to do it on a Sunday!
Sounds like a bit of engineering of the stats to justify his braindead plan.
Anyway, who the hell needs Newarke St to be more pedestrian friendly? What's there of interest to anyone? Sound to me that there may be a more sinister motive.”
by daveb0360
Saturday, January 05 2013, 11:42AM
“In times of increasing population and population density, where in the world does it makes sense to actually remove traffic lanes. If anything, we need more lanes to improve and speed up traffic flow.
Shopping (heavy bags etc.) is more likely to require the use of a car to transport goods home, than any other use of the car. It is incredibly small minded to attempt to entice shoppers to city centres whilst at the same time reduce the capability of people to get in and out of the centre.”
by disident3
Saturday, January 05 2013, 6:36AM
“Soon an empty shopping area. Pete seems intent on close the City down. Empty shops everywhere.”
by Neil0123
Friday, January 04 2013, 9:26PM
“...They let the ring road in ... they let the ring road out ... in, out, in out ... and they move their cones about ... they're in the New Walk Centre ... and they love creating jams ... thats what its all about.”