WORK is set to begin on a new section of boardwalk at the south-western edge of Aylestone Meadows.
The improvements will see a new four-metre-wide boardwalk installed, replacing an outdated section that leads into the meadows from Kingsway, off Narborough Road South.
The new boardwalk will link up Kingsway with a high-quality 3.5m wide walking and cycling track which was installed in 2023. This route leads towards Braunstone Lane East, and forms part of route six of the National Cycle Network.
The work is being delivered by Leicester City Council in partnership with walking and cycling charity Sustrans, which looks after the National Cycle Network.
The scheme will create a wider and safer surface for walkers and cyclists on what is a well-used route into the meadows, connecting Braunstone Town to the Great Central Way and the city centre. It is part of the wider Transforming Cities Great Central Way works, which connects New Lubbesthorpe to the city.
The existing boardwalk materials will be removed and kept aside so that they can be recycled for other structures in the city.
Work starts on Monday 9 June and is expected to take about eight weeks. From this date, the Kingsway route onto Aylestone Meadows will be inaccessible while the existing boardwalk is removed, with a signposted diversion in place to an entrance at nearby Colbert Road.
Replacing the boardwalk is funded as part of an award agreement from the Department of Transport to Sustrans. The funding has been allocated as part of the charity’s Paths for Everyone project to improve the National Cycle Network.
Assistant city mayor for environment and transport Cllr Geoff Whittle said: “Replacing this outdated section of boardwalk will significantly improve this well-used route. It will make this entrance to Aylestone Meadows far more easily accessible to walkers and cyclists, and links up with a section of track that has already been vastly improved, providing an important and very pleasant route from county to city that we know people will value.”
Carole Patrick, national cycle network director at Sustrans, said: “As custodians of the National Cycle Network, which passes within one mile of around half of the UK population, we’re working with partners like Leicester City Council to make it safer and more accessible for everyone. Good routes are part of creating real choice for people to walk, wheel and cycle. These schemes demonstrate the positive benefits for people and communities when we have continued and sustained investment in active travel.”
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