Latest news with #SirPeterSoulsby
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dismay at government pause to Midland Mainline electrification
East Midlands council leaders have said they are dismayed at the government's decision to indefinitely pause the northwards electrification of the Midland London to Sheffield railway line has been upgraded to take electric trains as far as South Wigston in Leicestershire, but the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed on Tuesday the further extension of the project was on hold.A government spending review said funds would be focused on other transport for the East Midlands (TfEM), which represents 10 councils, said the decision was "very disappointing". It said full electrification of the line was essential to improve intercity rail services between Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield further to the north, by increasing passenger also said the move would cut reliance on diesel-powered trains, reducing carbon emissions. Sir Peter Soulsby, TfEM chair and mayor of Leicester, said: "We are deeply disappointed that the government has yet again paused work on electrifying the Midland Mainline."Electrification is not just a technical upgrade, it is a critical investment in the capacity, reliability and sustainability of our railway. "It reduces carbon emissions, lowers operating costs, and provides the infrastructure that could transform local as well as inter-city rail services across the East Midlands.""The Midland Mainline is now the only mainline route that remains largely non-electrified," Soulsby added."This puts our region at a disadvantage compared to others and undermines the national ambition to deliver a cost-effective, reliable, low-carbon railway." 'Makes no sense' Soulsby said full electrification of the line had been promised by ministers but repeatedly put on hold."Each pause damages confidence, makes delivery more expensive and pushes back the benefits for passengers, freight and the environment," he said TfEM was urging the government to set out a clear, funded timetable for completion of the said full electrification would create up to 4,300 new jobs and boost the economy by tens of millions of Clark, CEO of national rail industry body Rail Forum, said: "Stopping Midland Mainline electrification makes no sense."It is a shovel-ready project that could deliver tangible benefits this parliament. "It's a bad decision for the UK taxpayer and it's a bad decision for users of the Midland Mainline, with several of our larger cities now condemned to using diesel traction for the foreseeable future." A DfT spokesperson said: "Given the existing trains in use on this stretch of railway and the costs and time needed to electrify the route, we are focusing our investment on other schemes over the spending review period. "We will continue to keep the potential for full electrification of the route under review as part of our plans to decarbonise our railways and as funding becomes available in future."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New phase of pavement repairs in Melton Road now under way
The next phase of a programme to repair and improve pavements and add bollards along a road in Leicester is now under City Council is carrying out the scheme in Melton Road, which sees old, uneven and broken slabs replaced with new block 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 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 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 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 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 short-term lane restrictions on part of Melton Road may be required to ensure a safe working 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."
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New phase of pavement repairs now under way
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." Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Work to fix uneven pavements set to start City roads to close during school holiday Work to upgrade 1930s cycleway to begin Leicester City Council
BBC News
19-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Crowd safety fears could prompt Leicester Diwali event relocation
Leicester's world-famous Diwali celebrations could be moved to another part of the city because of crowd safety Road, known as the Golden Mile, has traditionally hosted annual festivities attended by tens of thousands of people to mark the Hindu festival of Leicester City Council said it was considering other potential locations as it planned this year's event in October."Our Diwali celebrations have become so popular and well attended we now have to consider moving them to a safer location," said city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby. "The advice we have had is that the crowds it now attracts are too large for the area - which is quite constrained."What we do not want is for anyone to be hurt should there be a surge in the crowd." 'More suitable location' Soulsby said discussions had been held with businesses and community groups in Belgrave about other possible said these included Abbey Park, the city centre or Belgrave Circle."In many ways, the Diwali celebrations have become a victim of their own success because of how many people attend," he added."There are pinch points where so many people gather; it is a concern that people could be hurt." A city council spokesperson said: "There have been several meetings over recent months with members of the Diwali safety advisory group and community representatives to discuss concerns about public safety at the popular event due to increasing crowd numbers."A further follow-up meeting attended by the city mayor, executive lead for culture and representatives from the emergency services and the community will take place to review options being considered including moving the event to a more suitable location, although no decisions have yet been taken."A police spokesperson said: "The Diwali celebrations in Leicester are part of our city's culture and history, and an occasion that Leicestershire Police has always been extremely proud to support."Following concerns raised by the Safety Advisory Group – which consists of all emergency services, Leicester City Council as the event organisers and Showsec – about public safety at the event, we continue to liaise with our partners in relation to the event." In 2024, the council made a cost-cutting decision to scale back the city's Diwali celebrations by holding a single event, in Belgrave Road, to mark Diwali Day decided not to hold a separate event to mark the turning on of Diwali street illuminations along the Golden Mile. Soulsby added: "Whatever decision is made about the future location [of the celebration] we are determined to keep the Diwali lights on Belgrave Road."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council to keep new flats for homeless families
Leicester City Council looks set to keep an apartment block being built as part of a new 350-home development. The Waterside project, being delivered by the authority and Keepmoat Homes, is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, said the developer. So far, more than 200 homes - a mixture of houses and flats - have been built, as well as public open spaces on former factory sites along the banks of the Grand Union Canal. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is set to approve on Monday the retention of Lambert House, a block of eight two-bed flats, to be used as temporary accommodation for families who have declared themselves homeless. In a report, officers said the property would be a "significant" contribution to the council's target to deliver 1,500 "new council, social or supported living homes" by 2027. It added: "The city has experienced growing levels of homelessness and this, in turn, has led to a growing number of households in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation." The Waterside project has also included the refurbishment of the bridge connecting Soar Lane to Soar Island, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Construction of 34 homes on Soar Island is expected to be completed by the end of the year according to Keepmoat, while 53 homes will be built in the Canal Frontage phase by the end of 2026. A "specialist care block" is also due to be developed by a third-party company with that work due to start later this year, Keepmoat said, and four commercial units are also planned. Keepmoat said the project would be an £80m-plus investment into the regeneration of the area. It added that the scheme would "help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester's waterways". Soulsby said the area had "for a long time had immense potential for regeneration" and the project will "transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work". Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Council to buy student flats to house homeless £26m makeover for 'neglected' area Local Democracy Reporting Service Leicester City Council
