New Look Humberstone Gate East Re-opens

Work on the initial phases of a multi-million pound scheme to revamp a city centre road and remodel it for buses and pedestrians has been completed.

The 12-month project to improve Humberstone Gate East has been completed on schedule and within budget, and the road will be fully open to bus traffic from Tuesday, October 23.

This marks the end of the first two phases of a £3.5million scheme to reduce congestion along the road and improve the area for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This is a major scheme for the city centre and will do much to cut congestion, improve bus services and make Humberstone Gate East a more attractive place to visit.

“These improvements work will also help strengthen the retail environment in the area, and contribute to our goal of creating a better connected and thriving city centre.

“I’d like to thank shoppers, traders and bus users for bearing with us during the disruption. I am really pleased that we are now able to open up the road and people can start to see the benefits of the work for themselves.”

Work completed on Humberstone Gate East includes the removal of the open space and fountain at the eastern end of the road to create a new carriageway for buses and ease congestion in the area.

Pavements have been widened and improved and there are now new dedicated loading bays for delivery vans. Bus stops have also been improved
with new shelters and better access.

Dedicated cycles lanes have been introduced next to the central reservation and a new layover area for waiting buses has been created at Lee Circle.

Street furniture, lighting, bins and cycle racks have also been improved and safe crossing points for pedestrians have been included along the whole length of the road.

The area is due to be planted with trees in early November.

Work on the final phase of the Humberstone Gate East project – which will involve work around the junction with Charles Street – will begin in early January 2013. This is to minimise any disruption to traffic and pedestrians during the busy festive period.

Cllr Rory Palmer, Deputy City Mayor and executive lead on transport, said: “The Humberstone Gate East scheme is a major part of our commitment to improving bus services in the city centre. This new layout has been designed to speed up the flow of buses in this area, cut congestion and improve things for bus users along this road.

“We’ve listened carefully to the businesses and people that use or live in the area and that is reflected in the improvements made for pedestrians, cyclists and traders.”

Humberstone Gate East will be fully open to buses from Tuesday, October 23.

Bus services that were relocated while the improvement work was carried out will move back to their original locations. Notices have been displayed at all affected bus stops.

Information about bus stops moves will also be available at www.leicester.gov.uk/publictransport

The Humberstone Gate East improvements project is part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and the Department for Transport (Local Sustainable Transport Fund).

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