Work begins to install more bollards in city centre

Work to install more automatic bollards in Leicester city centre is set to begin on Monday.

Leicester City Council said safety bollards would be installed on part of Market Place, close to its junctions with Market Place South and Market Place Approach.

The council said the first phase of preparatory work was expected to take up to three weeks to complete, during which time there will be no access for vehicles on to Market Place.

Pedestrian access will be maintained and all businesses will remain open as normal, the council added.

The authority added a diversion will be in place via Friar Lane, Hotel Street and Market Place North.

Market Place Approach and Market Place South will remain accessible to traffic during the roadworks, it said.

A second phase of work is to take place later this year, before the new automatic bollards come into operation.

Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: "Work to install automatic bollards at other key locations has already tightened up access for vehicles to the pedestrian zone in the city centre.

"It is helping us to more effectively clamp down on those who abuse the system and continue to provide an environment for shopping and leisure activities where people can feel safe."

In 2025, the council completed work to replace old automatic bollards and install additional units in new locations as part of a range of measures to better manage vehicle access to the city centre pedestrian zone.

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