Information on Loughborough

Police in Leicester prepare for Diwali celebrations

Posted on 10/10/2008

Leicestershire Constabulary is reminding people attending the Diwali lights ‘switch on' ceremony in Belgrave this Sunday (October 12) that road closures and parking restrictions will be in place.

Up to 40,000 people are expected to attend the ‘switch on' ceremony, with a similar number also expected on Diwali Day on Tuesday October 28. There will be a number of road closures and traffic diversions at both events, which will be clearly signed.

On Sunday October 12, the switch on ceremony, Belgrave Flyover will be closed in both directions from 11am to enable the stage to be set up.  At 5.30pm Belgrave Road, between the southern end of the flyover and Melton Road, will close to traffic with both reopening at around 9.30pm

Well-signed diversions will be in place and some roads will be subject to temporary one-way systems.  Stewards will staff the closure barriers.

On Tuesday October 28, Diwali Day, Belgrave Road will be closed from 6pm between the southern end of the Belgrave Flyover and Melton Road.  It will reopen at around 9.30pm.

On both days:

  • Traffic travelling city bound along Melton Road will be diverted via Doncaster Road, Catherine Street and Dysart Way.
  • Traffic travelling county bound along Belgrave Road will either be diverted along Dysart Way, Catherine Street, Gipsy Lane, Marfitt Street, and Melton Road or along Abbey Park Road, Abbey Park Lane then follow the Watermead Way closure diversions.
  • Traffic travelling city bound along Loughborough Road will be diverted via Windsor Avenue, Melton Road, Doncaster Road, Catherine Street, Dysart Way.

Parking will be prohibited on many streets leading off Belgrave Road on both days to allow access to the area by emergency service vehicles if required.  Motorists who park illegally will receive a fixed penalty notice and their vehicles may be towed away. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport where possible.

Members of the public are also being reminded not to bring their own fireworks to these community events. Under the Fireworks Act 2003, the police can now issue an £80 fixed penalty notice to anyone who sets fireworks off in a public place.  It is also an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to buy fireworks or for them to be let off between 11pm and 7am - an exception is Diwali Day when there is an extension until 1am.

Inspector Rob Vivian, Commander of the local policing unit which covers Belgrave said: "It is going to be a very busy night this Sunday with up to 40,000 people expected to join in the celebrations.

"Parking is going to be difficult and we are urging people to leave their cars at home and travel to the celebrations on foot or by public transport if they can. If you have no choice but to travel by car we would urge drivers to use the car parks in the city centre and walk to the event from there.

"We want to make sure everyone has an enjoyable and safe time at Diwali and urge people not to bring their own fireworks with them. Other than the obvious dangers of injuring someone, the noise and disturbance they cause can upset local residents.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone taking part a very Happy Diwali."

Issued on 10/10/08 at 09:42