PART of Leicester’s London Road is set to become an experimental red route, with the introduction of stricter no stopping restrictions from next week.
The new measures will be introduced on a trial basis to cut congestion on the busy route between Leicester Railway Station and Waterloo Way, and the Mayfield Road Roundabout close to Victoria Park.
Under the new restrictions, drivers will be prohibited from stopping at any point along the red route. Double red lines will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Single red lines will prevent vehicles stopping at any time between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.
Existing pay and display parking and loading bays will be retained and continue to operate between peak travel periods, as they do at the current time. These will continue to be available during the evening and overnight without charge. New loading bays will also be introduced to support local businesses and residents.
Under the new rules, licensed hackney carriages will be able to stop on a double red line to pick up or drop off passengers without delay, but will be prohibited from stopping in any bus stop clearway marked with a broad solid red line. This will include the busy interchange and bus only route immediately outside the railway station.
Drivers caught illegally stopping on the red route will face a £70 fine. The rules will be enforced by CCTV cameras and on street civil enforcement officers.
The red route will be the first of its kind in Leicester.
Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “This new red route will build on the £4million investment we have already made in improving London Road for everyone who uses it.
“The experimental scheme aims to tackle the problem of cars stopping illegally along this busy route, helping traffic flow more freely, giving more priority to buses and further improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists on this busy route.
“It is vital that we continue to invest in safe and attractive infrastructure to encourage even more people to make the shift to healthier and more sustainable transport and reap the benefits of getting around by foot or bike. It’s also a vital part of our plans to cut carbon and improve air quality across the city.”
The experimental traffic order will come into effect from Monday 31 August 2020 and will run for a maximum of 18 months.
The red route will cover the length of London Road from the Waterloo Way junction with Charles Street, to Mayfield Road roundabout, in both directions. The red route restrictions will also apply to a short section of each side road where they join London Road.
Formal objections to the scheme can be made in writing during the first six months of the experiment.
Full details are available at www.leicester.gov.uk/trafficregulationorders
Leaflets explaining the scheme are being distributed to homes and businesses in the area.
The experimental red route scheme complements the wider Leicester Covid-19 Transport Recovery Plan which was published at the start of June, setting out how the city’s transport system can best meet the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic and help the city’s economy to recover, as well as securing wider health and environmental benefits.
Since then, pop-up cycle routes have been installed in London Road, Aylestone Road, Saffron Lane, Hinckley Road, Beaumont Leys Lane and Abbey Park Road, along with works to widen the pavements at Belgrave’s Golden Mile, Braunstone Gate, Green Lane Road, Granby Street and Queens Road.