Leicestershire County Council takes new transport measures as the coronavirus lockdown starts to ease

Concessionary travel on public transport reverted to pre-lockdown arrangements from today (Monday)
Leicestershire County Council is taking new highways and transport measures as the coronavirus crisis lockdown starts to ease.Leicestershire County Council is taking new highways and transport measures as the coronavirus crisis lockdown starts to ease.
Leicestershire County Council is taking new highways and transport measures as the coronavirus crisis lockdown starts to ease.

Leicestershire County Council is taking new highways and transport measures as the coronavirus crisis lockdown starts to ease.

Concessionary travel on public transport reverted to pre-lockdown arrangements from today (Monday).

It allows free travel for bus pass holders between 9.30am and 11pm (Monday - Friday), all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays.

During the lockdown, concessionary passes could also be used for free travel before 9.30am.

That allowed older and disabled people access to supermarkets and other essential shops that specifically opened earlier for them.

More people will now be using public transport for work and school during the morning peak hours.

So the change was introduced to ensure bus users are better able to follow Government social distancing guidelines.

Cllr Trevor Pendleton, the county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “By reverting to the original times, this allows for social distancing guidelines to be more easily adhered to, while ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our communities are still able to get essential items.

“I would urge people travelling by bus to check if operators have any special rules and arrangements before travelling, to practice social distancing while on board and to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser when they leave public transport.”

During the lockdown, on-street parking enforcement was also scaled down, although the council continued to respond to parking contraventions which affected highway safety.

Parking patrols have now increased as traffic has got busier.

Penalty charge notices are being issued where safety is a concern.

Warnings are also being issued to motorists ignoring time-limited parking bay restrictions.

The council plans to start moving towards a full enforcement programme from today.

“There will be specific local arrangements for district and borough off-street car parking in place across the seven districts.

“Appropriate notices will be displayed at car parks to advise the public accordingly,” said the council.

Cllr Pendleton said: “As more of us, where we can, return to our pre-lockdown schedules, it is vital that we keep traffic moving and our roads safe and clear throughout the county, so our essential workers and emergency services can continue to travel with ease and, more importantly, travel safely.

“We urge people to be considerate of other road users before parking their car.”