£1.5m to be invested in ‘mini-Holland’ scheme in Leicester

Leicester City Council is to invest up to £1.5m on plans to create more space for cyclists and pedestrians in the busy shopping area of Braunstone Gate. 

Work will begin on May 9 in an effort to make Leicester’s ‘mini-Holland’ scheme permanent. 

It’s hoped the proposal will create a more ‘people-friendly’ area, by limiting vehicle access, closing the road to unnecessary traffic and widening pavement areas.

New, wider footpaths will be installed and repaved, making access to shops, bars and cafes easier, as the majority of on-street parking will be removed from the area. 

It was announced that businesses will be able to apply for street café licences and outside seating areas too. 

The carriageway will also be resurfaced, trees will be planted and some roads will be restricted to just buses, taxis and cycles as part of the scheme.

Deputy City Mayor and Westcotes Ward Cllr, Sarah Russell, said: ‘Braunstone Gate is home to a vibrant and popular mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops and other independent small businesses. It is also a really busy and important route between De Montfort University and the West End.

‘This much needed investment represents a huge opportunity for the area. It will help to make it an even more attractive destination, not just for the local community but for the whole city.’ 

Most measures were introduced on a trial run basis in summer 2020 and after positive feedback from residents and businesses the council is set to make the changes permanent. 

The project will be supported through the Transforming Cities Fund, a citywide investment programme for sustainable transport backed by the Department for Transport. 

Other ‘mini-Holland’ schemes installed in urban areas like Walthamstow in London have seen a huge increase in cycling and walking and a 56% drop in vehicles. 

Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, added: ‘We’ve seen the success of mini-Holland schemes elsewhere over the last few years and investing in a similar scheme here will help support local businesses with a more attractive trading environment, while also helping us meet our obligations to cut carbon and improve air quality. 

‘It is vital that we continue to provide healthier, greener streets to accommodate future growth of the city and its economy, all of which supports our commitments to address the climate emergency and to reduce air pollution. We need to be radical and ambitious to meet these challenges.’ 

Photo by Luca Vavassori