WORK to prepare the busy A6 in Leicester for new measures to control dangerous and inconsiderate parking will get under way next month.
Leicester City Council is set to install a ‘red route’ – or ‘no stopping order’ – along the full length of Abbey Lane and St Margaret’s Way to reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing.
A red route means that where there are double red lines marked on the road, along the kerb line, no stopping is permitted at any time, even to drop off or pick up passengers or deliveries.
The new measures will help prevent unauthorised and inconsiderate parking, particularly by car transporters, which can be a significant cause of congestion along the route.
Enforcement of the new red route – which will affect the stretch of road between the inner ring road and Red Hill Circle in both directions – will be carried out by camera car.
Drivers caught illegally stopping on the red route will face a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days of the penalty charge notice (PCN) being issued.
Exemptions will be in place for buses and hackney carriages.
This will be the second red route introduced in Leicester. The first, on parts of London Road, has been in operation since it was introduced on an experimental basis in summer 2020.
The Traffic Regulation Order required to introduce the new red route on Abbey Lane and St Margeret’s Way was advertised in summer 2023 and received no objections.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport, said: “The introduction of a red route will build on the major investment we have already made in highways improvements on and around Abbey Lane and St Margaret’s Way.
“The new rules are being introduced, after public consultation, to tackle the problem of cars and lorries stopping illegally along this busy road. It will help cut congestion, keep traffic moving more efficiently and improve this important route in and out of the city for all road users.”
Work to prepare the route for the new no stopping order will get under way from Monday 3 March and is expected to take around four weeks to complete.
To help minimise disruption, work to remove the old yellow lines and apply the new red route markings will take place during off-peak hours, between 7.30pm and 11.30pm, when the road is less busy.
The work will be carried out in phases, with temporary lane restrictions in place.
However, up to four short road closures will be required on the A6 while work is carried out between Thurcaston Road and at its junctions with Corporation Road and Beaumont Leys Lane. These are programmed to take place on the outbound route on Sunday 9th March and Monday 17th March 2025 and on the inbound route on Monday 10th March and Sunday 23rd March 2025. The road closures will be in place between 7.30pm and 11.30pm and well-signposted diversion will be in place.
Access to properties will be maintained throughout the works.
The introduction of the new red route is the latest in a major programme of improvements, maintenance and resurfacing carried out on the A6 St Margarets Way and Abbey over the last 18 months. It’s part of a citywide programme of works – backed by £40 million of government cash through the Transforming Cities Fund – to encourage more people to make the shift to sustainable transport and help ease congestion.
The new red route is expected to come into operation from April 2025.