Leicester is about to see a significant upgrade to its city center streets, as a new wave of automatic safety bollards is set to be installed starting Monday. This change aims to enhance pedestrian zones and improve overall safety, but it also sparks questions about how urban spaces are managed. Here's what you need to know: Leicester City Council will be initiating work on Granby Street, a key part of the city's central pedestrian area, to expand and improve access controls.
During this two-week project, the entire stretch of Granby Street from Northampton Street to St Georges Way will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic, effectively turning it into a pedestrian-only zone. The council has assured residents and visitors that pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the construction process and that local businesses will remain open as usual. This effort is part of a broader plan to make the city more walkable and safe.
Originally scheduled for next year, the installation of these automatic bollards was expedited in response to concerns from local businesses about illegal and nuisance parking—an issue that can disrupt both traffic flow and the pedestrian environment. By bringing forward this work, the city hopes to address these problems more quickly.
Once in place, these bollards will automatically lower when a vehicle approaches during designated hours—allowing loading and unloading—specifically between 05:00 and 11:00 from Sunday to Friday, and from 05:00 to 09:00 on Saturdays. Outside these times, the bollards will remain active, blocking unauthorized vehicles from entering the pedestrian zone.
Geoff Whittle, the assistant city mayor responsible for transport and the environment, explained, 'The installation of automatic bollards at other locations throughout the city center has already helped tighten vehicle access to pedestrian areas.' He emphasized that these measures are part of an ongoing effort to better regulate traffic and create safer, more enjoyable spaces for shopping and leisure.
Additionally, plans are underway to install further static bollards across different parts of the city center. However, these will not interfere with vehicle access, ensuring that the flow of goods and services remains smooth while maintaining pedestrian safety.
So, what do you think about these changes? Do automatic bollards strike the right balance between safety and accessibility, or could they cause unintended issues? Share your thoughts—this is a topic that could spark some lively debate.
