First red route to be introduced in Leicestershire

The route is being introduced on the A453 near East Midlands Airport

A scheme to improve the flow of traffic on the A453 near East Midlands Airport is being introduced in a six-month experiment by Leicestershire County Council next week. 

The first in Leicestershire, a new red route - where double red lines replace the more common double yellow lines on busy main roads, will come into force on the A453 Ashby Road and the Castle Donington relief road from Monday 5 August.  

Red routes were first tried out in London more than 10 years ago and have a tougher zero tolerance approach to traffic violations.  

The red route is being launched to stop drivers from parking dangerously on the road and verges, and prohibit any stopping, loading or unloading, and boarding or alighting from a vehicle. 

"Every driver gets frustrated by other road users who show no consideration for others by stopping on major routes causing a potentially dangerous situation.

“It leads to inconvenience, congestion, delays and increases pollution because cars are stationary when they should be moving.”

Person:County council leader Nick Rushton

Businesses, commuters and residents will all benefit from the red route, says the council. This will include shorter and more reliable journey times for passengers heading to and from East Midlands Airport, a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, noise and air pollution as well as less congestion and a reduction in the number of road traffic accidents.

People visiting the airport to collect or drop off passengers have a number of parking options available to them including one-hour’s free in the Long Stay 2 car park. More details about airport parking can be found at www.eastmidlandsairport.com/parking/pick-up-and-drop-off/Opens another website in new window 

Nick Rushton added: "At a time when we are investing millions to upgrade major routes across the county, it is vital we complement this work by ensuring we have a free-flowing traffic network able to operate at maximum capacity. Our plan aims to minimise obstruction and improve safety on this major strategic high-speed road."

The route will be enforced by automatic number plate recognition technology using the camera car from the 'School Keep Clear’ scheme' with penalty fines of £70 issued to road users found to have stopped or parked along the route. The no-stopping rules will operate 24/7 and is applicable to all vehicles on the road and verges.

The experimental period allows the County Council to monitor the scheme closely for six months and develop any changes before a decision is made on its retention. There is also an opportunity for members of the public to give their feedback on the scheme during this time.   

The signs for the red route were installed over the weekend, and the red lining is due to be completed by the end of the week.