A new red route with stricter ‘no stopping’ restrictions is being introduced on Leicester’s London Road from next week.
The new restrictions will cover the length of London Road from the Waterloo Way junction with Charles Street, to Mayfield Road roundabout close to Victoria Park, in both directions.
The red route measures will also apply to a short section of each side road where they join London Road.
Under the new restrictions, drivers will be prohibited from stopping at any point along the red route. Double red lines will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Single red lines will prevent vehicles stopping at any time between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.
Existing pay and display parking and loading bays will be retained and continue to operate between peak travel periods, as they do at the current time. These will continue to be available during the evening and overnight without charge.
Under the new rules, licensed hackney carriages will be able to stop on a double red line to pick up or drop off passengers without delay, but will be prohibited from stopping in any bus stop clearway marked with a broad solid red line.
Drivers caught illegally stopping on the red route will face a £70 fine. The rules will be enforced by CCTV cameras and by street civil enforcement officers.
The red route will be the first of its kind in Leicester.
Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “This new red route will build on the £4million investment we have already made in improving London Road for everyone who uses it.”
“The experimental scheme aims to tackle the problem of cars stopping illegally along this busy route, helping traffic flow more freely, giving more priority to buses and further improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists on this busy route.”
The trial will come into effect from Monday 31 August 2020 and will run for a maximum of 18 months.