A major redevelopment scheme being carried out by The University of Leicester will bring road closures this weekend after its latest stage of improvements is due to take place.
With a huge £150m investment, the University aims to transform its Freemen’s Common site, off Welford Road, and is spending £1.5m of that figure on improvements to the roads and junctions in the development area.
The Welford Road and University Road junction will therefore be completely closed to all traffic from 7pm today, July 31st until 6am, Monday 3rd August. Next weekend will also see closures to this junction from the 7th August to the 10th August.
This highway improvement scheme is being paid for in its entirety by the University of Leicester.
Once the whole redevelopment is completed, the Freemen’s Common area will include high-quality accommodation for roughly 1,200 students; a cafe for students and the wider community; a new 550-space multi-story carpark; and a landmark teaching and learning centre.
There is also a “sensitive refurbishment and extension” that will be taking done to the Grade II listed Freemen’s Cottages which is planned on being the centrepiece of the scheme.
As part of an agreement to make developer contributions to benefit the wider area, the university will make a financial contribution towards improvements at Saffron Lane Stadium and Victoria Park.
Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council’s director of highways, said: “These planned works are all part of a major redevelopment scheme being carried out by the University of Leicester at its Freemen’s Common site, including upgrading the junctions, road crossings, footpaths and cycleways to help accommodate the expected increase in people travelling in the area.
“These two weekends of closures are needed to enable this latest stage of work to be done.
“We’ve been working closely with the contractors throughout on the timings of the works, and the developers have been sharing information with local residents and businesses about what to expect from it.
“It will be phased and managed in a way as to minimise disruption both to traffic and nearby residents.”
If you need updates on traffic and travel in the city of Leicester, they are available via the @ATCLeicester Twitter account.
