Leicester to introduce new School Streets

Leicester City Council will implement a series of School Streets in a bid to reduce pollution. 

From February 28, Northfold Road and Eastcourt will be closed to through traffic from Monday to Friday during drop-off and pick-up times. The roads will initially be closed with barriers operated by marshals.

Parents at the school and other visitors will be directed to park at nearby ‘Park and Stride’ locations. Residents with permits will be allowed through at all times – residents will also be issued with free permits.

In addition, Ashclose Avenue will be made one-way, southbound from its junction with Meadvale Road, to improve traffic flow and parking issues.

Also from Monday, Knighton Drive will be closed experimentally at all times at its junction with Knighton Road, near to St Thomas More school.

Craighill Road will also be closed experimentally, with planters placed across the road, just south of the junction with Northcote Road and Houlditch Road.

Deputy city mayor for environment and transport Cllr Adam Clarke said: ‘We’re trying out these measures after listening to local residents, in response to the traffic problems they have told us about. Local ward councillors have been instrumental in engaging with residents and inputting ideas, and will continue to be closely involved with this scheme.

‘All of these measures are experimental, so they can be changed or removed over time. We want to see how it goes and whether these changes make a positive difference.

‘Making our neighbourhoods safer and healthier is a priority for us as we tackle the climate emergency. People should not have to put up with cars speeding through residential streets, or having their roads blocked by thoughtless school-run parking. Parents have told us that they would be more inclined to let their children walk or cycle to school if there was less traffic.

‘By working together with local people and ward councillors, we are introducing changes that will make residential streets in Knighton safer, reduce congestion and help to improve air quality, benefitting both our personal health and wellbeing, and that of our city.’