Newarke Street traffic experiment causes tailbacks in Leicester
Motorists have been complaining about traffic congestion today after one lane of Newarke Street, Leicester, was closed.The city mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, wants to shut one lane of Newarke Street permanently to extend New Walk as far as the Magazine Gateway.
A trial closure of the far left lane began yesterday and following this morning's rush hour motorists complained the change was adding up to 10 minutes onto journey times.
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Traffic in Newarke Street, Leicester, this morning
Martin Tolley, who owns the Spar shop near the west end of Newarke Street, said: "It's a disaster. It's been gridlocked for a lot of the time and two of my delivery drivers didn't get through so customers are complaining there's no sandwiches or fresh bread.
"Closing a lane of Newarke Street is a crazy idea."Leicester City Council said it was closely monitoring the situation. No announcement has been made about how long the trial closure will continue for.
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Comments
by orange_badger
Monday, February 04 2013, 8:27PM
“The roads around here are always blocked up! It definitely doesn't help that there are always cars parked in the bus lane. Funny how the council completely disregard them even though they're right on their doorstep!”
by Jagomeister
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 10:07AM
“Lets see lets see lets see. Now the experiment is over its now time for the analysis to take place. I hope a decision is made soon.”
by anobserver
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 9:48AM
“WELL WELL WELL......A SNOW FALL AND THE DIVERSION IS REMOVED.GOOD JOB IT WAS NOT PERMANENT.THATS THE TRIAL OVER THEN,OR IS IT ?”
by Jagomeister
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 11:36PM
“by ddb223Monday, January 07 2013, 9:46PM
"This has been done completely wrong. The opposite side lane should have been closed. Then you would have two flowing lanes, and you won't get stuck with the parked cars. A minor adjustment of the road layout would facilitate this easily."
Both sides of Newarke street are double yellow lines. So does this not mean no parking or waiting?”
by beeh1ve
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 8:01PM
“Have to say the Newarke did remind me of Paris this morning. The Shops,Restaurants and Cafes.
It really was a site to behold. So a big thanks to Sir Peter.
Not sure what the next project will be, but im looking forward to it.”
by DonHenson
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 2:26AM
“At least they've had the sense to try it out rather than make the change permanent first.
Incidentally, this route is one used heavily by City Council staff to get to Fawlty Towers. Wonder how many turned up late?”
by johnboy313
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 12:43AM
“Maybe some people should think about getting the bus or park and ride”
by Happyblossom
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:55PM
“What a nightmare, yes if I had a decent bus service where I live or was in cycling distance I would leave the car at home. I hope I dont need to be rushed to the LRI by ambulance as I'm sure that this bottle neck would seriously delay someone getting to hospital. Also why does SPS think by widening the pavement even more down Newark Street (its already very wide) to extend the New Walk is going to attract more people to walk down it. Where will they be going and what is there to see other than DMU, The Castle (which is only open occasionally) or Newark houses Museum. What happens when it gets to the top of the Southgates underpass, is this going to be pedestrianised to allow the hundreds of people he thinks will be wanting to walk this way to get across the road safely?”
by beeh1ve
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:06PM
“It was perfectly ok before. Sir Peter had a good look at the mess this morning as he took his early morning walk along the road block at 8.20 am
He might not be as keen to make the walk of shame in the morning.”
by Pilby
Monday, January 07 2013, 9:50PM
“All good you lot saying car share but I work shifts varying from 7am to finishing at 11pm, plus I live all the other way to colleques.. Oh and anyone thought about their car insurances in car sharing as if you share your car with a colleque and have an accident will your insurance cover the cost of your sharer sueing your *** off..Just saying..”