Final phase of major city centre revamp unveiled

Proposals have been unveiled for the next phase of a revamp of part of Leicester city centre.

Leicester City Council said £1.75m had been set aside for works to make Granby Street, between the Belvoir Street junction and Gallowtree Gate, safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

The authority has been remodelling the road, which connects the city's railway station to its main shopping area, in stages since 2022.

Officials said the proposed work, scheduled for early 2027, would take about four months and complete the wider revamp of the route.

A council spokesperson said the scheme would "help to create a safer and more attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining essential access for businesses and users of the city centre".

The proposals will be discussed by city councillors on Thursday and a public consultation will take place before final decisions are made, the council said.

The council said proposed improvements include:

• Creating a pedestrian and cycle zone with vehicle access restricted to permit holders and loading vehicles during designated hours.

• Introducing a pedestrian and cycle zone in Halford Street, allowing access for permit holders, buses, hackney carriage taxis, disabled users and loading vehicles during designated hours.

• Converting the existing disabled parking bay in Halford Street into a loading bay, with additional disabled parking spaces proposed in Bishop Street.

• Improvements to footpaths, cycle lanes and main carriageway surfacing.

• Installing a new zebra crossing in Belvoir Street.

• Creating a continuous pedestrian crossing at the Bishop Street junction.

• New landscaping and tree planting.

Under the proposals, access to the pedestrian and cycle zones would be permitted for authorised vehicles between 05:00 GMT and 11:00 from Sunday to Friday, and between 05:00 and 09:00 on Saturdays, with restrictions in place at other times.

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