A NEW, rolling programme of using temporary parking restrictions on busy residential roads to make space for gully clearing and street cleaning continues this month.
After a successful trial last year, Leicester City Council adopted a new approach of using temporary parking suspensions in neighbourhoods across the city where heavy parking makes routine street drain clearance difficult.
Since its introduction in February this year, 213 streets have been targeted and tackled. In each case, parking restrictions will be place for up to two days while gully clearing is carried out along the full length of the road.
Over 3,000 gullies have been cleaned using parking suspensions, out of the total 16,000 gullies cleaned across the city during this time.
A further 18 heavily parked-up streets are due to be tackled later this month, with letters due to delivered to all affected properties in the coming days.
Work will get underway on Monday 26 October on Bridge Road, between its junctions with Uppingham Road and Spence Street; Galby Street, Southdown Road and Manitoba Road Wycliffe, before moving on to other heavily parked streets.
Full details of all roads affected are available on the city council’s website at www.leicester.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/traffic-regulation-orders-and-notices
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: "This next phase of our targeted gully clearance programme will help us reach residential streets where parked vehicles can often make routine maintenance difficult to carry out.
"Residents on affected roads will be contacted in advance and asked to move their vehicles while temporary parking restrictions are in place. In most cases, the work will be completed within two days.
"Keeping gullies clear is an important part of maintaining our road network, helping rainwater drain away effectively, reducing the risk of localised flooding and ensuring our streets remain safe and clean."
As part of the Environment Agency’s national Flood Awareness Week campaign – which this year runs from 12 to 18 October – the government has launched a new website called Flood Action Online.
This aims to act as a ‘one stop shop’, providing people with the information they need to better understand their flood risk and be better prepared in the event of flooding.
Information is also available on the city council’s website at: Flooding and watercourses | Leicester City Council