WORK has started this week on two new traffic safety schemes which are being put in place in residential communities in Leicester.
Measures including speed humps and a speed table are being installed at two locations – one scheme on Strasbourg Drive in Beaumont Leys, and another scheme around Evington Valley Road in Spinney Hills, from Monday, October 17.
Traffic calming measures installed on Evington Valley Road, as part of ongoing work which has already seen speed humps installed in nearby Gwendolen Road as part of an area-wide 20mph zone which was agreed earlier this year at a cost of £100,000.
Evington Valley Road will be closed to traffic from its junction with Ethel Road to its junction with Gwendolen Road, from Monday, October 17, until Friday, October 21, to enable the work to take place. Pedestrian access will continue as normal.
Work at Strasbourg Drive will also take place from Monday until Friday and involves installing a speed table for a road crossing near to Buswell’s Lodge School, to improve road safety following a series of traffic incidents there. It follows consultations with local residents, councillors and the school itself.
Strasbourg Drive will be closed to traffic from its junction with Farrier Lane to the junction with Beauville Drive during that time. The work is expected to cost around £20,000.
In both cases local diversions will be in place and clearly signposted. The work is being carried out during half term to minimise the disruption to traffic caused by the temporary road closures.
Some bus diversions and changes will also be in place, which will again be signposted on bus stops in the area.
Both schemes are part of ongoing work by the city council to improve road safety in neighbourhoods, often near schools, where requested by residents.
By improving safety for all road users, traffic calming measures and 20mph zones are all part of the city council’s commitment to encourage more people to cycle or walk instead of using cars for local journeys including the school run.
Leicester deputy city mayor for transportation, clean air and climate emergency, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “These schemes are an essential part of our work to make street safer for all road users, by encouraging more use of sustainable travel such as walking or cycling, reducing carbon and improving air quality in neighbourhoods in the process.
“Lowering traffic speeds reduces the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident, as well as cutting emissions – both of which make walking or cycling to school a safer and more pleasant alternative.
“They are among a range of schemes designed to make this part of the city safer, greener and healthier. I’m very grateful for the patience of residents as we carry out these improvements.”
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