Park-and-ride rethink protects area

New plans for a £2 million city centre drop off point for Leicester's new park-and-ride service have been revealed.

The proposals for the transport hub, in St Nicholas Place, were first put forward in September last year, but were met with opposition.

That design directed buses along the cobbled street of Applegate to exit the area.

Leicester Civic Society, residents and businesses argued that vibrations from the vehicles could damage buildings such as the nearby Guildhall.

Following a rethink by transport bosses, buses will now enter from St Nicholas Circle and exit back into the same stretch of road.

To make this possible, a road through part of the ground-level Castle Park car park will have to be built.

The designs will go before the council's cabinet for approval next week. If they are passed, work will begin on the £1.9 million project next month.

It is hoped the hub, which will act as a drop-off and collection point, will be up and running in the autumn to tie in with the start of the park-and-ride service from Enderby.

Councillor Patrick Kitterick, the council's cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said: "This is a major scheme, which will mean big improvements for public transport in Leicester.

"We have consulted widely with traders and local residents. We have listened to what they have said about the scheme and have tried to address the issues with the latest designs.

"This bus hub will be a big step forward in terms of providing a high-quality, accessible bus hub for people using the park-and-ride services. It will encourage more people to use public transport as an alternative to cars."

As part of the Enderby service, buses will complete a "mini loop" of the city, incorporating Horsefair Street, Welford Road and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The service will use upgraded existing bus stops. Funding for this will come from the Enderby Project Board.

Terry Kirby, of Campaign for Better Transport, said: "We would support the 'mini loop' – that's what people need, because one of the problems is a lot of people don't know how to find their way around the centre on public transport and hopefully this will help with that."

Stuart Bailey, chairman of the Civic Society, said: "I'm delighted the council is not making the big mistake of putting traffic through Applegate.

"It would have been environmentally disastrous."

The hub will also serve buses from the park-and-ride at Meynells Gorse, in Leicester Forest East.

There will be three new bus shelters, raised kerbs and access to the Star Trak bus timetable system.

There will also be a taxi rank at the edge of the car park, and a two-way cycle route from Highcross Street to St Nicholas Place, Applegate and through to Southgates.

The work will involve removing a number of trees, but all will be replaced with new ones as near to the site as possible.

Major improvements to the pedestrian route are also planned for the north side of the area to link the city centre to the waterside in Bath Lane.

The scheme will be put before the council's overview and scrutiny management board for comments on Thursday and before the cabinet for approval on February 16.