Traffic ban at busy Leicester junction in safety experiment

Cyclists have said drivers were pulling out of the junction across the cycle lanes

Motorists are to be banned from using a road junction in Leicester to stop them driving across cycle lanes.

Leicester City Council said it was closing a stretch of De Montfort Street, where it meets Lancaster Road, from Sunday 19 May.

Barriers will be installed to stop through traffic along the road but access will remain for cyclists.

The council said the changes were experimental and their impact would be monitored.

Geoff Whittle said the scheme was being introduced, initially on a six-month trial basis, after concerns were raised by cycling groups in the city.

"Lancaster Road is an important and busy route for walkers, wheelers and cyclists," he said.

"It's vital that we listen to feedback from the people who are using the route and take steps to further improve safety where issues have been raised.

"This experimental order will allow us to test the new measures and listen to feedback before any permanent changes are made."

The city council said vehicles would still be able to enter De Montfort Street from Regent Road and space would be created for vehicles to turn by removing up to four pay and display parking bays on both sides of the road.

The authority has been asked how many accidents involving vehicles and cyclists have been reported at the junction since the cycle lane opened in 2020.