EDL/UAF MARCHES: Travel disruption warning in Leicester city centre
Details of plans to keep the city's transport network operating during tomorrow's protests have been released.
Leicester city council said the plans, including a small number of temporary road closures and changes to bus routes, had been drawn up to keep disruption to a minimum.
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Police and protesters during the EDL demo in 2010
However, last night's announcement by Unite Against Fascism that it intended to gather at the Clock Tower means the plan may have to be redrawn in some cases.
While the UAF said it was not interested in marching in a different part of the city to the EDL, it is understood other groups, including trade unionists, still intend to walk the route laid down by police.
The EDL plans to march through part of the city centre between about 12.30pm and 2pm.
Deputy mayor Rory Palmer, who is responsible for transport in the city, said: "We want people to be able to visit the city centre as usual this Saturday, but they need to be aware there will be some disruption while the marches are under way.
"I hope that people will come into the city and enjoy the shops and restaurants as they usually would.
"They just need to be aware there will be some disruption for a short period in the middle of the day and to plan for this.
"Some bus stops will have to be moved for a while because of the road closures, but information will be available at the bus stops and our city wardens will be on duty to give advice and help people.
"Our aim is to make sure on-street parking and roads are open for late afternoon."
The city-bound stretch of St Margaret's Way will be closed from 9am tomorrow until the end of the EDL's march and rally at St Margaret's Pastures.
Businesses in the area will still be able to gain access to their premises.
King Street will also be closed from 9am until the protest on the UAF's proposed route has ended.
There will be parking restrictions along the march routes from 6am until 6pm. However, the council said it aimed to lift these earlier if possible.
All of the city's car parks will be open as usual. However, access to and from the Haymarket Centre car park will not be possible when the EDL march passes by, between 12pm and 1.30pm.
Leicester Mercury reporters and photographers will be covering the EDL and UAF marches in Leicester. We will provide regular updates on the website, Twitter and Facebook.
Details of temporary bus route changes are available here as a pdf.
More information on the temporary parking changes.
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4 Comments
by paulwhestone
Sunday, February 05 2012, 7:19PM
“dream all you want sergeforward theres nothing in this country for the white english people so i will by you a ticket to any where you wish iran is nice and warm this time of year.”
by TekkItAll
Saturday, February 04 2012, 10:35AM
“@disident2
The EDL have the right to their opinion, hence the march being allowed. As for people shouting at them that they are racist, surely that is their opinion to which they have a right?”
by SergeForward
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:27PM
“Talking of transport tomorrow... why is Soulsby and the council using Council Tax payers' money to publically fund buses to ferry a deadbeat fascist gang into our city? I think we should be told.
@disident2: On your "to (sic) many are flooding into this country" comment, we could always free up a bit more space in the UK by shipping out the EDL and BNP deadwood... also we could shed several million Sun, Daily Mail and Daily Express loving eejits while we're at it. Ah well, I can at least dream :D”
by disident2
Friday, February 03 2012, 8:33PM
“Personally I thought we had freedom of speech and thought in this country. How wrong can you be? Herr Soulsby spoke from the Riechstag telling me what I can think or say the ELD people. Expecting screams of Racist I believe to many are flooding into this country, is that racist or an opinion? It would seem the English are the only ones who can no longer hold an opinion in this City. Let the ELD March if they cause trouble punish them. But treat the so called peaceful anti fascists the same. They seem to be the ones threatening the peace. Whatever colour you have the right to your opinion.”