A project designed to improve one of Leicester’s “most confusing” junctions has entered a new phase.
Leicester City Council is carrying out an ambitious redevelopment of the A50/FiveWays junction, to help make it safer for all road users and improve the route for buses.
They are redesigning the A50/FiveWays junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road.
As of today (Tuesday, April 11), motorists are expected to follow a new permanent route along Abbey Gate and Ravensbridge Drive.
Vehicles are no longer able to turn left from Blackbird Road into Woodgate, or turn right from Woodgate into Blackbird Road.
Drivers have been told to use the route along Abbey Gate and Ravensbridge Drive instead.
Temporary signals are due to be installed at the FiveWays Junction. Work to remove the existing splitter islands at the main junction will be carried out during the second half of April.
Improvement works to Buckminster Road and its junctions with Blackbird Road and Colwell Road are almost complete. The £10.4m scheme is not expected to be completed until spring 2024 and changes to the junction of Blackbird Road and Woodgate have now been made permanent.
Work on Fosse Road North is said to be “progressing well” and is on track for completion next month. Before then, a series of four temporary road closures will be required for road resurfacing and utilities works.
These will take place on the following dates:
- Friday 21 April at 7.30am to Sunday 23 April at 10pm
- Friday 28 April at 7.30am to Saturday 29th April at 10pm
- Friday 5 May only from 7.30am to 10pm
- Friday 12 May from 7.30am to Sunday 14 May at 10pm.
Improvement works are also due to begin on Groby Road later this month. A new cycle lane will be installed linking the existing cycle lane to the FiveWays junction and then on to Woodgate, with a raised table crossing at the Medina Road junction. The existing bus stop at the FiveWays junction will be relocated to the shortened bus lane close to Medina Road. New tree planting will also be carried out.
Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council director of highways, said: “This a major scheme that will make huge improvements to one of the most confusing junctions in Leicester. It will help simplify Fiveways for drivers and make it a much more attractive and route for all road users.
“We’re working hard to minimise disruption by carrying out work in phases and limiting any road closures to off peak times, wherever possible.”
