Busy bottleneck road under a railway bridge in Harborough is set for a much-needed overhaul

The scheme is designed to help both drivers and cyclists
The existing cycle lanes will be widened to make it safer and easier for cyclists.The existing cycle lanes will be widened to make it safer and easier for cyclists.
The existing cycle lanes will be widened to make it safer and easier for cyclists.

A crucial scheme is set to go ahead to improve a busy bottleneck road under a railway bridge in Market Harborough for both cyclists and drivers.

The urgent overhaul project will be carried out under the bridge on Kettering Road in Little Bowden.

The existing cycle lanes will be widened to make it safer and easier for cyclists, Leicestershire County Council said.

The urgent overhaul project will be carried out under the bridge on Kettering Road in Little Bowden.The urgent overhaul project will be carried out under the bridge on Kettering Road in Little Bowden.
The urgent overhaul project will be carried out under the bridge on Kettering Road in Little Bowden.

And ‘shuttle working’ traffic flow - enforced by new temporary traffic lights - will also make it more straightforward for motorists at the narrow road section of the bridge.

“Shuttle working allows for the use of traffic signals, particularly on a one-way or narrow section of road to allow safe passage of opposing traffic flows,” said the council.

The council doesn’t have a confirmed start date for the work yet but is talking to Network Rail this week in a bid to begin the bold initiative quickly.

The venture is being launched after the county council successfully bid for £300,000 of funding from the Government’s £250 million Emergency Active Travel Fund.

The council is also striving to pocket another £1.2 million to roll out more schemes across the county.

The Government fund has been set up as ministers call on more people to walk and cycle and get fitter amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Cllr Trevor Pendleton, the county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Nationally, there’s been a 100 per cent increase in cycling and walking for leisure purposes as a result of the lockdown so we want these positive behaviour changes to continue.

“Our safe and sustainable travel teams are working hard to continue developing this positive change, not only for the health of our residents, but for our environment too.”

He added: “By making it easier for people to walk or cycle safely, we’re helping to make Leicestershire a greener, healthier and happier place to live.

“These changes being announced won’t be all of them. “We want to support walking and cycling, more projects are in the pipeline and we would very much welcome suggestions for other changes.”

Cllr Pendleton said that you can get in touch and put your ideas and thoughts to the council by visiting https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/pop-up