Road closures at an “important” Leicester junction, and in adjoining roads, are to begin later this week, with drivers being warned to expect delays and take an alternative route if possible.
Leicester City Council said it would be carrying out improvements to the A6 Abbey Lane junction with Beaumont Leys Lane and Corporation Road from Friday (August 9).
The resurfacing work will require a series of road closures for around two-and-a-half weeks. It is expected to be completed by Sunday, August 25, a council spokesperson said.
The first phase of work will see the stretch of Abbey Lane between Sudeley Avenue and Orton Road, including its junction with Beaumont Leys Lane, closed to outbound traffic from Friday until Monday, August 12. Resurfacing work will also begin in Beaumont Leys Lane itself on Friday (August 9), requiring a full closure of the stretch of the road between Abbey Lane and Parker Drive for up to 10 days.
Next, Abbey Lane will be closed to inbound traffic between Wade Street and Chale Road, including its junction with Corporation Road, from Thursday, August 15 until Monday, August 19.
Work will move back onto Beaumont Leys Lane, between Parker Drive and Halifax Drive, once resurfacing at the main Abbey Lane junction is complete, said the spokesperson. This will require a full closure of that stretch of the road, including the two junctions. Signposted diversions will be in place throughout the work, the spokesperson added.
Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council director of highways, said: “Abbey Lane is an important and busy route in and out of the city and that’s why investment in improving the highway and prolonging the life of the carriageway surface is so important. We understand that any roadworks cause disruption, but these works are essential to ensure that our roads remain able to handle modern traffic demands for many years to come.
“Well-signposted diversions will be in place, but drivers are advised to expect delays and take an alternative route if possible.” The work is the final phase of a £3 million programme of investment in improvements on part of the busy A6, covering St Margaret’s Way and Abbey Lane, backed by Government cash from the Transforming Cities Fund, the spokesperson said. They added that, in total, this latest phase of work would see more than 6,750m2 of road resurfaced on and around the “important junction”.
