Leicester City Council is introducing parking restrictions on residential streets as part of a rolling programme of gully clearance. The scheme targets over 80 roads in neighbourhoods across the city where heavy parking makes routine street sweeping and drain clearance difficult.
Each of the 81 roads will have parking restrictions suspended for up to two days while works are carried out. The council will write to all residents in affected roads to inform them of the temporary suspension.
Works Begin in Spinney Hills
Works this week will start on Egginton Street, Earl Howe Street, part of Mere Road and Breedon Street, in the Spinney Hills area. The teams will move on to other busy roads throughout August.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “This latest phase of targeted gully clearance will allow us to tackle heavily parked up residential roads where it can be difficult to carry out this routine maintenance work under regular day-to-day circumstances.”
Residents Informed in Advance
“We write to all residents in the roads affected to let them know that parking will be suspended for a maximum of two days while we carry out this important maintenance work,” Whittle added. “It is a vital part of keeping our roads safe and well maintained and helping to reduce the risk of flooding in the city.”
The council’s approach includes a rolling programme, meaning that restrictions will be applied sequentially across the 81 roads, with each street experiencing a maximum two-day suspension.
National Context on Parking
Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, addressed the scourge of on-street parking earlier this year. The Labour Party MP said: "The government is committed to building safer, more inclusive streets. This consultation on pavement parking provided invaluable insights, making clear that this is not a niche concern but a national one: pavement parking undermines safety and restricts mobility."
Greenwood continued: "I know that many people have waited a long time for meaningful action. I understand the frustration, and I share it. But I also believe that when we tackle a problem as complex and widespread as pavement parking, we must do so with care."
She added: "We needed to listen to campaigners, to local authorities, to those with lived experience and we needed to ensure that any solution would be fair, effective and enduring. That takes time and I want to thank everyone who has remained engaged and committed throughout this process."
The gully clearance programme in Leicester is part of ongoing maintenance efforts to reduce flood risk and keep roads safe. Residents in affected areas are advised to check for signage and council communications regarding parking suspensions.
