Free parking in Loughborough due to disruption

Additional free parking is being provided in Loughborough town centre on a temporary basis to support local businesses while a regeneration scheme continues.

Charnwood Borough Council is introducing free parking for up to an hour during the day, free parking in the evenings and free parking on Sundays at Beehive Lane Car Park from Monday May 24.

It comes as the Bedford Square Gateway Project reaches a new phase. From Monday, a small car park in Bedford Square is closing for two months as work progresses on the £2.6 million scheme which will make the area more attractive for visitors and residents.

Cllr Jonathan Morgan, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The Council is committed to supporting local businesses and that’s why we are introducing this free parking offer to support local traders.

“The Bedford Square Gateway Project will make a tremendous difference to the town centre but we have always accepted there will be some disruption while the work is carried out.

“While this is aimed at supporting traders around the Bedford Square area, this has obvious benefits for anyone visiting the town centre.”

Free parking for up to one hour will be introduced at Beehive Lane Car Park on May 24. Free parking will also be available after 6pm every day and all day on Sundays at Beehive Lane.

The measure will remain in place until further notice and be reviewed regularly.

The Bedford Square Gateway Project will see footpaths widened and re-paved to create a high-quality and attractive street scene which will showcase the area’s distinct character and heritage. Character street lighting and furniture would also be added and more of the area would be on one level making it more accessible.

A large open space in Devonshire Square will be created to host events and markets. The scheme also retains parking and maintains traffic flow in the area.

The project is due to be completed towards the end of the year and is being funded by Charnwood Borough Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

The scheme is being carried out by Fitzgerald Contractors Limited.