Delay-hit ?2.7 million Coalville transformation to get underway …
Coalville’s major Marlborough Square regeneration will finally start this weekend – nearly a month later than originally planned. The long-awaited project, which has been hit by delays, and aims to make the square a centre for market stalls and events – but has been branded a “waste of money”[1] by some residents.
Initial work on the project did begin in September, when Marlborough Square’s car park was cordoned off ahead of removal, but the next major phase[2] had been due to begin in earnest on Saturday, September 31. In that phase, the roundabout in Belvoir Road and Marlborough Square was to be removed, and other “street items” were due to be taken away, but this did not happen.
Weeks later, North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC)[3] announced the changes would instead be made over the October 15/16 weekend, before this was also pushed back. Now, after much delay, the council says the removal of the roundabout will take place this weekend.
The work on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, will see the existing roundabout removed. Throughout the weekend, Belvoir Road will be closed off to all traffic between Jackson Street and Owen Street. Drivers will be forced to go on a diversion taking in High Street, Forest Road and Central Road before reaching the other end of Belvoir Road.
In all, the project will cost £2.7 million – funds which NWLDC hopes will provide a new pedestrianised area to host events and bigger market stalls[5] to complement the existing Newmarket in the area. Officials say the reworked Marlborough Square will also boast “high-quality” seating, bins, bollards and information panels as well as LED lighting.
The pedestrianisation scheme will cost £2.7 million (Image: NWLDC)
Belvoir Road will reopen to traffic on Monday (October 30) following the roundabout’s removal, but access to Marlborough Square will not be allowed[6]. From here, work will take place until Friday, November 24 when the project pauses to host Christmas in Coalville. The transformation project will also take a two-week pause over the festive season, with people able to access shops in the area.
Speaking previously, NWLDC’s leader, Councillor Richard Blunt, said he believed the project would help Coalville. He said: “The redesign of Marlborough Square is a really high-profile project that, together with council investment in key buildings around the square, will make a huge difference to the area once it’s complete. I’m looking forward to seeing the square change, become more people-friendly and start to host regular markets and events.”
References
- ^ “waste of money” (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ next major phase (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ New 76-place nursery on ‘dangerous’ Coalville road approved (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ host events and bigger market stalls (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ will not be allowed (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)