New spaces created to ease estate parking pressure

The garages on Jupiter Close have been flattened

Rows of "outdated" garages on a Leicester estate have been demolished to create parking spaces for residents.

Leicester City Council said 55 garages near flats in Pluto Close and Jupiter Close, in Highfields, had been flattened as part of a £300,000 scheme.

They have been replaced with 51 new parking spaces.

The authority said the spaces would help ease pressure on parking from commuters and non-residents.

The council said 32 garages were demolished at Jupiter Close

Elly Cutkelvin, deputy mayor for housing, economy and neighbourhoods, said: “We know that many vehicles from neighbouring businesses were using parking spaces on the estate in the past.

"Because of its proximity to Leicester city centre, there was also a problem with commuters parking here.

“These new residents’ parking spaces will stop that, significantly improving things for people who live here.

"It means non-residents and commuters can no longer take up their parking spaces, while customers and visitors to nearby businesses can use the on-street spaces.”

Parking in the new spaces will be monitored by enforcement officers

Residents can apply for parking permits at a cost of £10 each. There is a maximum of two per household.

The council said enforcement officers could issue £70 fines to vehicles left in the new parking spaces if they do not display a permit.