Work to begin on next phase of park improvements

A new phase of work to improve a city park is due to start, with additional funding.

The project at Rally Park in Leicester began in summer 2024, and the park has since undergone a number of changes, including new walking routes and cycle paths.

Leicester City Council said it had secured an additional £1.2m from the government's Active Travel Fund to support to the next series of improvements.

Work on the latest part of the project is due to begin on Monday and the scheme is expected to be complete by late summer, the council said.

The work will include improvements to the southern entrance of the park, from Tudor Road.

A new zebra crossing and cycling routes will be installed, as well as improved drainage and "help to manage antisocial pavement parking", the local authority said.

There will be lane restrictions in place in Tudor Road during the roadworks and a full road closure on 16 and 17 May for resurfacing work.

The council said new footpaths from the children's play area towards the park entrance at Fosse Road North would be installed and existing barriers at the entrance would be replaced by bollards.

A community garden will also be created on what the council said was an "underused" paved area.

Assistant city mayor for environment and transport Geoff White, said: "We're aiming to create safer and more attractive routes at the heart of this thriving neighbourhood, linking Newfoundpool, Frog Island and the new Waterside development for people to walk, wheel or cycle along.

"It's an important scheme that will help more people make active travel their preferred choice for everyday trips to school, the shops and on to the city centre."

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