Information on Loughborough

Advice ahead of Diwali lights switch-on in Belgrave

Posted on 01/10/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Advice ahead of Diwali lights switch-on in Belgrave

Leicestershire Constabulary is reminding people attending the Diwali lights ‘switch on' ceremony in Belgrave this Sunday (October 4) 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 Saturday October 17. There will be a number of road closures and traffic diversions at both events, which will be clearly signed. 

On Sunday October 4, for 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. 

The following diversions will be in place:

  •  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 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. People attending the ‘switch-on’ are encouraged to use public transport where possible. 

Members of the public are also being reminded not to bring their own fireworks to the events. Police can 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 (or 1am and 7am on Diwali Day). 

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

"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. Not only could they injure themselves or somebody else, but the noise and disturbance they cause can upset local residents. 

"Parking will be limited in the area 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.”