Final brick is laid to seal inner ring road underpass near Leicester train station
The final brick was laid yesterday to seal up the underpass between Granby Street and Leicester train station beneath the city's inner ring road.
The work has been carried out as part of plans to install a £1.65 million street level 'super crossing' over the busy road.
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Coun Abdul Osman, left, Alfie Stephenson and Lee Hopper, right, place the final brick
The 10-metre wide crossing will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the ring road at street level.
With the underpass sealed, construction workers will now spend three days plugging the hole with 150 cubic metres of foam concrete.
Project manager Satbir Kaur was happy to see the first stage of the development completed.
She said: "Everything is running to schedule and we are confident the project will be finished in time for Christmas shoppers.
"The new crossing will open up the whole area, creating a better gateway to the city from the train station."
Once the underpass has been filled the entry and exit ramps will be leveled off and pavements on one side of the road will be extended.
Leicester City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Abdul Osman, said: "As well as providing easier access to the town it's going to regenerate an area that's a bit run down."
Shop owners welcomed the plans hoping it would attract more customers.
Lisa Borg, manager of Big and Tall Clothing in Granby Street, said: "It was starting to look a bit drab around here so we are looking forward to the work being completed.
"After all, it can't look any worse than it did before!"
The work is due to be completed on November 30.
4 Comments
by karin, Oadby
Thursday, July 22 2010, 4:00PM
“Amen to all the foregoing comments. What a flipping waste of money, not to mention the current congestion caused. You just know in 20 or so years' time some bright spark will suggest an underpass for pedestrians and they will all squeal 'oooh what a good idea'.”
by Hamilton_Paul, Hamilton
Thursday, July 22 2010, 12:17PM
“What is so super about this crossing?”
by Neil, Leicester
Thursday, July 22 2010, 11:43AM
“A pity they don't show the same enthusiasm for filling in their pot holes.
(But when did the City Council ever do anything that would be useful?)”
by will, city
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:05AM
“What Brilliance from our esteemed and uncorruptable City Leaders.
You know Leicester is on the UP, when the whole city centre is under seige, less tha 2 years after the Hi Cost misery.
Well Done City Council for killing off other areas of retail, other than Hi Cost..”