Latest news with #PeterSoulsby
BBC News
25-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Date set for opening of Leicester's new £16.8m Roman museum
Leicester's new multi-million pound Roman museum is to open in July, the city council has revamped Jewry Wall Museum will feature the remains of a Roman bath house and more than 100 Roman artefacts discovered across on the project began in 2021 but the council said progress had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and contractors, originally carrying out the renovation, going museum, which cost £16.8m, will officially open to visitors from 26 July, the authority said. Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It's fair to say that this project has faced more than its fair share of challenges, with a global pandemic and not one but two key contractors going out of business during the construction phase, so I'm delighted that we can now – finally – look forward to the opening of this brilliant new attraction for Leicester."Everything that will be on display in the new museum has been discovered right here in Leicester and Leicestershire, from the Blackfriars Mosaic that's been described as one of the finest mosaics found in Roman Britain, to a beautifully crafted bronze key handle that depicts a man grappling with a lion."The Grade II listed Jewry Wall Museum and the former Vaughan College have been refurbished with huge glass walls connecting the ancient wall, outdoor space and modern exhibition new museum, in St Nicholas' Circle, will include an immersive film, interactive displays, games and projections allowing visitors to explore the 2nd Century site and Leicester's 2,000-year history.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New pedestrian crossing plan for busy road
A new pedestrian and cycle crossing is set to be installed at a junction on a busy road in Leicester. Sir Peter Soulsby, mayor of Leicester, has approved spending £296,264 on the new crossing at the traffic lights at the junction of Blackbird Road and Parker Drive. The crossing aims to improve safety for pedestrians after new homes were built in Somerset Avenue and will be funded by contributions from the developer. Members of the public will have a chance to comment on the design of the scheme during April before any work begins. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Leicester City Council
BBC News
27-03-2025
- BBC News
New rules to tackle anti-social behaviour in Leicester
New rules are set to be put in place to tackle people riding e-scooters, drinking, playing loud music and begging in Leicester city centre. Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he had approved the implementation of a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) in the city after a rise in cases of anti-social behaviour. The new rules will also clamp down on anyone who is either caught collecting for charity or who puts up a gazebo without prior permission from the city PSPO will come into force from 2 April and will allow police or an officer authorised by the council to issue £100 fines, which could rise to £1,000 if a prosecution results in a conviction. The order, valid for three years, will cover Leicester city centre inside the ring road and also include Leicester railway station, all of New Walk and the area between London Road and Regent Road as far as Granville said: "Like all big cities, Leicester has seen a rise in anti-social behaviour in recent years – and it's clearly affecting people's enjoyment of our streets and spaces."Whether it's problems associated with street drinking or begging, the unauthorised use of amplification equipment, or the irresponsible use of e-bikes and scooters, these behaviours are a nuisance – and they need to stop."Public Spaces Protection Orders were introduced by the government in 2015 and can be used by councils to target a range of issues in a defined public city council said an online consultation on the introduction of a PSPO had received 1,139 responses, with most in favour of the new order.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council announces increases in cost of parking
Leicester City Council has announced plans to increase the cost of parking in the city. The authority said it needed to raise charges to address rising costs amid an ongoing "budget crisis". It said the increases would be implemented in mid-May and would bring the authority's charges into line with those of private car park operators. It estimated the rise would generate an additional £1.1m in parking revenue each year. The council said it was only the second time in 10 years it had made a decision to increase parking charges. It currently costs £2 for a one-hour stay in a city centre council-run car park but that will increase to £2.50. Costs for a three-hour stay will rise from £4 to £5, and from £5 to £6.30 for a four-hour stay. Standard fees for evening parking in car parks will also be charged, with the cheaper Night Owl rates due to end, the council said. On-street parking bays will see charges rise from £2 to £2.50 for one hour, with varying charges for longer stays, depending on the location. Free on-street parking on Sundays will be scrapped, with standard rates being charged instead. Car parking fees at the city's parks will also rise, with costs starting at £2.20 for a two-hour stay, up from the current £2. The council said parking charges at Victoria Park would be brought into line with other city centre car parks, starting at £1.30 for a one-hour stay - an increase of 30p. A two-hour stay at Victoria Park will cost £2.50, up from the current £2. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "Increasing car parking charges is not a decision we take lightly. "However, running costs across our car parks and parking services have risen and, like most councils, we continue to face a severe budget crisis. "With this in mind, we are introducing revised parking fees and charges that are proportionate and very similar to what other operators and cities are charging for car parking. "Any additional revenue from our parking charges is always reinvested in highways and transport maintenance and improvements." He said the increase also reflected the rise in the national bus fare cap, from £2 to £3, in January. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Leicester City Council Leicester city c ar parking charges set to rise
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor unveils proposal for expanded city boundary
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has unveiled proposals to expand the city's political boundaries. The Labour politician has proposed a new political map that would see the city's present boundaries move outwards into suburban areas currently part of neighbouring councils. The proposal will be lodged with the government, which plans to streamline local government and have a mayor for every region of England. Under the plan, revealed on Wednesday, Leicester's current population of 372,000 would increase to 623,000 by 2028, the city council said. Parts of Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Blaby District Council would merge with the city to form a new unitary authority The city council said the expansion would be needed to provide land for "future housing growth". Soulsby said Leicester was one of the most tightly constrained major cities in the UK. He added: "Critically, our almost uniquely constrained boundary means that now – unlike comparable cities – we have no chance of delivering the extra housing that our city so desperately needs within existing confines. "The county and district councils all know that the existing city boundary makes no sense and has to change." The city council has proposed the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland should fall under a single council serving a population of 578,000. Leicestershire County Council has already outlined proposals to create one unitary authority for the whole county - replacing itself and the districts and boroughs - sitting around the city's current boundaries. The districts' favoured model is for three unitary councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. A North Leicestershire and Rutland council would serve the area currently covered by Charnwood borough, North West Leicestershire district, Melton borough and Rutland County Council. A separate South Leicestershire council would cover the areas of Blaby district, Harborough district, Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Oadby and Wigston borough councils. Leicester city would remain unchanged. Both proposals are now open for public consultation on the respective council websites. Authorities are proposing more public engagement in the summer, as final proposals for local government reform must be submitted by 28 November 2025. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Leicester City Council Mayor proposes expanding city's boundary Rival plans emerge to reorganise Leicestershire
