Information on Loughborough

Major step for Loughborough improvements

Posted on 02/01/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

11 December 2008

Major step for Loughborough improvements

Sixteen-million-pound improvement plans for Loughborough town centre took another step forward this week.

Following last month’s announcement that the scheme has made the government’s funding shortlist, more information is being made available.

The County Council is publishing details of plans to buy land and alter or close existing roads as necessary to complete the Inner Relief Road.

Details will be in the local press this week as well as being displayed on any affected land. The orders can also be viewed at Loughborough Town Hall, at Charnwood Borough Council offices and at County Hall.

It is likely that the proposal will be the subject of a public inquiry expected early summer 2009.

Nicholas Rushton, Deputy Leader of the County Council, said:" This is another vital step toward the completion of a much needed scheme.

"The improvements in Loughborough town centre would reduce congestion and create an attractive pedestrian environment."

Further information on Loughborough town centre transport proposals

Notes:

The Loughborough Town Centre Transport scheme was awarded Programme Entry’ status by the Department for Transport last month. This is the first stage of a three-stage funding approval process. The three stages are;

1. Programme Entry This is not a guarantee of funding, or its timing, but is intended to give authorities confidence to proceed with the development of the scheme, and in particular to apply for necessary statutory powers.

2. Conditional Approval This is an intermediate stage that normally occurs following the granting of statutory powers, but before a firm price for the works is established.

3.Full Approval this is only given once firm prices for the works are available, normally when tendering is complete.

The County Council is now working towards the second approval stage - Conditional Approval. The statutory powers required for this proposal are planning permission and confirmation of compulsory purchase and side road orders.

Planning permission for the proposals was given on the 17 May 2007. Publication of compulsory purchase and side road Orders, as approved by the County Council Cabinet at their meeting of 7 March 2006, is the remaining statutory process. Following an anticipated summer 2009 public inquiry and subject to the Secretary of State for Transport approving the Orders, construction work could start in early 2010.

Further information on Loughborough town centre transport proposals