Changes to a £5 million scheme to improve a main road through Hinckley have been approved by councillors.
The major project in Rugby Road is set to begin in summer 2020, including upgrades at two of its busiest junctions, with Hawley Road in Hinckley and with Brookside in Burbage.
A left-turn lane onto the road will be added from Hawley Road, meaning additional land is needed from the corner of the junction.
A new lane is also to be built at the Brookside junction, with a second lane to be created southbound immediately after where it meets Brookside which will eventually merge with the other lane.
The Cabinet of Leicestershire County Council approved several amendments to the plans which were made in light of feedback from a consultation that took place in October and November last year.
The changes included retaining a line of trees that runs parallel to the southbound road immediately after the Brookside junction, which was originally to be removed to create the new lane.
However, the second version of the plans includes removing a footpath on that section, and there are concerns that as the road goes up a steep hill, cyclists could find the incline too hard to pedal up and then have nowhere to dismount.
Councillor Paul Williams, who represents Sketchley and Stretton on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: “I consider that the elimination of the footpath of the southbound carriageway up Sketchley Hill will make cycling up the hill dangerous, as the hill is difficult for all but the fittest cyclist.”
Coun Williams also said he was “sceptical” of the benefits of providing the new lane.
An uncontrolled pedestrian crossing is also to be installed after where the two lanes merge, as part of the second draft of the plans.
Councillor William's comments
- The provision of the new right-hand turn marking for northbound traffic into Brookside is a welcome change, however from the plan given it is less than clear how south bound traffic will make a right hand turn into Dudley Rise. I would welcome confirmation this has been considered.
- The retention of the mature trees is welcome, however, I would request confirmation that tree specialists are consulted to ensure retaining wall footings will not compromise the tree roots.
- I consider that the elimination of the footpath of the southbound carriageway up Sketchley Hill will make cycling up the hill dangerous, as the hill is difficult for all but the fittest cyclist. The route up the service road is even more difficult and thus the scheme will need to make sure cyclists are adequately advised of the danger and that only the service road should be used.
- The loss of the pedestrian footpath northbound on the east side could trap pedestrians at the point of the uncontrolled crossing and thus force a crossing at this point. Steps should be in place to ensure pedestrians walking northbound are advised that the route is blocked further down the hill and advise transfer to the service road using a suitable footpath.
- The scheme would benefit from Keep Clear signs to allow southbound traffic turning into Hillside Road to turn across the traffic when queues are forming northbound for the traffic lights. This will prevent right-turning traffic from holding flow southbound on Rugby Road. A similar benefit will be associated with the Aldridge Road turn further along Rugby Road.
In terms of the need, benefit and risks of providing two lanes southbound, merging halfway up the hill, I remain sceptical of the balanced benefit. I must rely upon the expert modelling that has been carried out by the project team, of the overall cost benefit analysis.
In other comments sent to the Cabinet, Stuart Bray, leader of the borough council, said that residents regularly complained about queues at the Hawley Road junction and that some felt it worked better when it was a roundabout.
He asked for confirmation that officers had explored this as an option.
A new residents' parking zone and a review of town centre parking facilities is also set to take place as part of the major project.
Coun Bray said he was delighted that changes to parking were to be considered, as this had been the single biggest complaint he had received as a representative.
He said: “Residents' parking is controversial and therefore it is vital that a full public consultation be undertaken prior to implementation. I note that it is being proposed that Thornfield Way be excluded from the scheme.
“I would ask that should the remaining scheme be implemented that this be kept under review as residents may feel differently when the impact of cars being displaced from surrounding streets is known.”
Improvements to cycling and pedestrian routes are also to take place as part of the scheme, in the Granville Road, Spa Lane, London Road and Coventry Road areas.
Funding for the package of improvements will include £3.5 million from the Government’s National Productivity Investment Fund and £1.5 million provided by Leicestershire County Council.
Latest on Hinckley developments
Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment and transport on the county council, said previously: “Rugby Road is a key route in Hinckley and it’s important we continue to invest in our transport network as the borough grows, with new homes, jobs and communities.”
A retail park with seven units including a Co-op store and a Greggs recently opened on Rugby Road, between the Hawley Road and Brookside junctions.
