Work to expand the city’s network of automatic safety bollards around the central pedestrian zone will begin on Granby Street next week, Leicester City Council has confirmed.
Starting Monday, October 27, engineers will begin installing a new set of automatic bollards near the junction of Granby Street and Northampton Street. The installation is expected to take up to two weeks, during which time vehicle access to the pedestrianised stretch of Granby Street—between Northampton Street and St Georges Way—will be restricted.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
Pedestrian access will remain unaffected throughout the works, and all nearby businesses will remain open as usual.
In addition to the automatic bollards, the council will also install several static bollards in the area. However, this secondary phase of work will not impact vehicle or pedestrian access.
Once completed, the bollards will regulate vehicle access to the pedestrian zone. Authorized vehicles will be able to enter for loading and unloading during set hours—between 5am and 11am from Sunday to Friday, and between 5am and 9am on Saturdays. During all other times, the automatic bollards will remain raised to prevent unauthorised access.
Councillor Geoff Whittle, Assistant City Mayor for Transport and Environment, said the move comes in response to concerns raised by local businesses.
“We are bringing forward these planned works, originally scheduled for next year, to help address concerns about illegal and nuisance parking on this part of Granby Street,” said Cllr Whittle.
“Automatic bollards already in place elsewhere in the city centre have significantly improved enforcement and pedestrian safety. They help us manage traffic flow more effectively while ensuring the city centre remains a welcoming space for shopping and leisure.”
Earlier this year, Leicester City Council replaced older bollards and expanded the system to new locations as part of a wider initiative to improve pedestrian safety and manage traffic in the city centre.
Leicester’s pedestrian zone spans an area roughly equivalent to seven and a half football pitches. It includes major shopping hubs such as Highcross and Haymarket, the iconic Clock Tower area, and independent businesses in St Martins Square and the Lanes.
