Information on Loughborough

Emergency Road Repairs In Loughborough

Posted on 09/05/2008

workmen looking down the hole in Woodgate, Loughborough

EMERGENCY arrangements to re-open Loughborough’s biggest car park have been agreed by Charnwood Borough and Leicestershire County Councils.

The Beehive Lane Multi-Storey Car Park in Loughborough was forced to close yesterday (Thursday, May 8th) after County Highways Officers shut Woodgate to all traffic due to health and safety risks.

Workmen exposed a culvert which led to fears of the road collapsing – and it is hoped that the repairs will be completed by Tuesday (May 13th).

However, officers from both Charnwood Borough and Leicestershire County Councils have taken steps to ensure the car park can re-open for business from today (Friday, May 9th) in a bid to minimise disruption.

An emergency Traffic Regulation Order will temporarily change the flow of traffic along Woodgate meaning motorists will be able to access the 613-space Beehive Lane Car Park from Leicester Road.

Temporary arrangements will allow drivers to turn left off the A6 Leicester Road onto Woodgate to reach the car park via Beehive.

Chris Traill, Charnwood Borough Council’s Director of Leisure and Environment, said: “This temporary traffic order will hopefully go some way to easing the problems of finding a parking space over a busy weekend.

“People should allow extra time for their journey but we would encourage them to consider using alternative forms of transport to get into Loughborough to help ease congestion.

“Health and safety is obviously a key priority for us but so is taking on board the needs of local people and that’s why we’ve worked closely with Leicestershire County Council to be able re-open the car park.

“This is the best possible solution to ensure this road closure causes as little impact as possible and we hope to have normal service resumed as soon as we can.”

Alternative parking to Beehive Lane is available at Granby Street, Pinfold Gate, Southfields Road, Charnwood Borough Council offices in Southfields Road (all day Saturday and Sunday and after 6pm weekdays), the Rushes and Carillon Court.

Loughborough Endowed Schools and William Davis have also agreed to open their car parks to visitors to Loughborough tomorrow (Saturday, May 10th).

Macaulay House Car Park will also be open so people can still access the Shopmobility offices.

Cllr Mike Preston, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for the Environment, added: “Re-opening the Beehive Lane Car Park is down to the excellent partnership working between officers at Charnwood and Leicestershire County Council.

“I’d like to thank Loughborough Endowed Schools and William Davis for allowing motorists to use their car parks in an attempt to minimise the impact of this road closure.

“We would ask people to bear with us while the road is repaired and perhaps use public transport, bike or walk into town over the weekend – your patience is appreciated.”

People wanting to find out the latest updates, should log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk. To contact the Shopmobility office, call (01509) 634 706.