Plans to make temporary Granby Street pedestrian scheme permanent

The temporary scheme was introduced at the start of the Covid pandemic

A temporary scheme that created more space for pedestrians and outdoor seating on a busy city centre shopping street could be made permanent.

The measure was introduced in Granby Street, Leicester, in response to the Covid pandemic in spring 2020.

Leicester City Council now plans to improve and keep the widened footpaths along the road.

If given the go-ahead, the authority also hopes to create additional car parking in the area.

Former pay and display parking bays along the road will become new paving and seating areas, and additional on-street parking has been planned for Chatham Street and Dover Street.

York Street would be made one-way to create space for more car parking spaces.

'Major gateway'

The council said its aim was to create a "more attractive route" between the city centre and Leicester railway station.

It also plans to shut the junction of Dover Street and Granby Street to traffic to help improve safety, and install a new turning point on Dover Street.

The authority said the proposals were part of wider, ongoing project to improve the street scene and shopping environment in Granby Street.

It includes refurbishing historic shopfronts and restoring the Grade II-listed Victorian Grand Hotel building, following a £1.5m grant from Historic England.

Deputy city mayor Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, culture and economy, said Granby Street was a "major gateway into the city centre and a busy shopping street".

"These latest proposals will build on the recent improvements to this important part of the city centre, and support the major heritage-based investment now being made to landmark buildings along the route," he added.

The council has submitted an application for the proposed road changes, with the public invited to share their feedback until 5 January.