New phase of pavement repairs now under way

The work in Melton Road is being funded through Leicester City Council's annual highways maintenance programme

The next phase of a programme to repair and improve pavements and add bollards along a road in Leicester is now under way.

Leicester City Council is carrying out the scheme in Melton Road, which sees old, uneven and broken slabs replaced with new block paving.

The current scheme is being carried out between Ascot Road and Herbert Avenue, on the northbound side of Melton Road, and between Acorn Street and Marfitt Street, on the southbound.

The work, set to cost about £685,000, will be the second phase of a planned programme of investment to improve several sections of footway along Melton Road in coming years, subject to funding.

Work to replace the existing uneven pavement on the outbound stretch of the street, between Ascot Road and Checketts Road, was carried out last year.

Also included in the work is the covering of existing tree pits with a porous resin-bound material to help improve drainage and the installation of new drainage channels where required.

Damaged footpaths caused by tree roots will be repaired as well, with new bollards added along with new cycle racks where possible to prevent vehicles parking on the pavement, the council said.

The authority added that work will be carried out in sections to help minimise disruption to pedestrians and nearby businesses and is expected to take about 50 weeks to complete.

Some short-term lane restrictions on part of Melton Road may be required to ensure a safe working environment.

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This ongoing investment in repairing and replacing broken and uneven pavements on Melton Road will help improve the look and feel of the area and make it more attractive for residents and shoppers.

"Projects like this are an important part of ensuring that our neighbourhood shopping streets and busy routes into the city stay looking their best."