Traffic ban for busy King Street outside Leicester City Council's New Walk Centre
Part of a busy city centre street is to be pedestrianised next month under plans to extend New Walk.
Traffic will be banned from a one way section of King Street, outside Leicester City Council's New Walk Centre complex, from March 4.
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The one way section of King Street, outside Leicester City Council's New Walk Centre
The council will spend £36,000 putting bollards up blocking King Street at its junctions with Wellington Street and Malborough Street, as it tries to improve the links between historic New Walk and the city centre shopping area.
The route is set to be refurbished in the long-term as part of the scheduled demolition of the crumbling council headquarters.
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City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he wanted to make it easier for people to explore the city's historic features on foot.
He said: "King Street is the link between Market Street – which was pedestrianised a number of years ago – and the traffic-free tranquility of New Walk.
"By closing this short stretch of road to traffic, we can bring together two important pedestrian routes – and make it easier for people to enjoy all of our city and its heritage on foot.
"We will be looking at refurbishing the street as part of future development plans – and the demolition of New Walk Centre will give us a wonderful opportunity to improve the whole of the area."
Some motorists have criticised the scheme.
Driver James Dugwell, 29, from New Parks, Leicester, said: "I park down here in the on-street spaces sometimes because it's handy for town.
"I think they should leave it as it is and stop making it so hard for cars.
"If you want to link New Walk to Market Street you've still got to go over Belvoir Street which is a busy road with buses."
Others, however, like the idea.
Louis Thomas, 30, from Leicester, said: "I think it will probably be a good thing for the area, there are a lot of pedestrians so it will make it safer."
Solicitor Inderjit Habib, 27, said: "I reckon it will be nice to extend New Walk along here. This is a back road, not a main one, so it probably won't be a big problem for motorists."
As part of the plans, automatic bollards will come down to allow loading and unloading between 5am and 10am from Sunday to Friday and also between 5am and 9am on Saturdays.
Only businesses in the area with passes issued by the city council will have vehicle access at other times.
The council said closing the one-way section of the street should have minimal impact on motorists, while providing benefits for pedestrians and cyclists.
It says King Street traffic will still be able to turn left on to Marlborough Street to join the inner ring road.
The city council is carrying out the pedestrianisation after consulting with businesses in the area in November.
11 Comments
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by Leics_local
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:10PM
“The City Council and particularly Sir Peter, seem to be on a mission to make the City Centre as inaccessible as possible for disabled people. They are gradually whittling away at any parking which would allow someone with limited mobility to still get access to the shops. I used to regularly park in the spaces outside pizza express at the top of King Street. Now I will have to use the ones in Wellington Street, if I can get into those spaces as no doubt plenty of other people will try to do the same. Maybe they don't think that disabled people have any spending power, so we don't count/matter?? These plans might be "opening up" the city for able bodied people (although I've heard plenty of grumbles about the ridiculous changes from them as well) but as far as I am concerned, it is closing my access to the city centre shops down almost completely. I can't believe the insensitivity of Peter Soulsby who keeps talking about giving more access to the city "on foot" - what about those of us who can't use our feet?!”
by anobserver
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:14PM
“f007...great piece of observation on how great the city is doing with all the bus lanes,cycle lanes and pedestrianised streets.
Noticed a few empty shops in High Street?Gallowtree Street?Market Street?
Maybe seen all the cyclists,loaded up with shopping, on their way home having spent a few pounds within the City?
Maybe will get even better when pete park gets rid of short term parking,disabled parking and the park and ride stop.
Yep the City is looking good.Empty shops=less income from rates=more council tax.Fantastic .”
by daveb0360
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 8:10PM
“Of course, this fits with the national master plan to reduce car use since no voluntary abstinence will be effective.
However inevitable these schemes might be, and Leicester is not alone, I would love to see the cost breakdown.
How £36,000 can be justified for a few plastic bollards begs the question as to how competent the council are/aren't in their ability to get value for money services out of OUR taxes............someone sure as hell is milking it!”
by Shushhhh
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 6:28PM
“Paving the way towards Newarke Street master plan.”
by disident3
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 6:07PM
“Just_Saying. Will try harder.”
by Just_Saying
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 4:13PM
“disident3 - I assume you mean "Affects the traffic" ?”
by disident3
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 10:14AM
“£36.000 for a few bollards. A nice little earner for a preferred contractor. Why not try a temp blocking to see how it effects the traffic.”
by prog_rock_fan
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 9:38AM
“A brilliant scheme that will reduce traffic and air pollution in the heart of downtown.
Here's hoping the New Walk extension includes bicycle lanes as well.”
by f007e
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 9:30AM
“As there are far more pedestrian users of the city centre than motorists I applaud these changes, there are very few reasons to drive through the city centre, and each street (Gallowtree Gate, High Street, Market Street) that has been pedestrianised have, in my opinion been improved and a more pleasant place to spend time shopping.”
by keiran
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 9:26AM
“Can someone please tell me how many people walk(or more likely cycle) down New Walk and want/need a pedestrian access into the City or use the soon to be announced Pete Street Plaza.Bearing in mind all the traffic that wants access to the City that will now be diverted onto Welford Road and have a nice detour up 2 lane Pete Street.
Joke !”