A scheme that will make Shepshed's main high street more pedestrian-friendly is set to get underway. Market Place in the town centre will undergo a transformation costing around £2.5million that will see pavements widened, increased parking in the area and new bike racks.

The revamp, starting this month, is part of the Shepshed Town Centre Masterplan - a major regeneration project set out by Charnwood Borough Council, Shepshed Town Council and Shepshed Town Team. It has been several years in the making with the improvements to Market Place being the first phase of wider plans that will also include Bull Ring, Hall Croft and Field Street in the future.

It is hoped the revamp will make the town centre a more attractive place for visitors and shoppers by also creating additional street seating, adding new planters and planting more trees. The council is also creating a new 20mph zone in Brook Street and moving an existing pedestrian crossing in a bid to make it safer.

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A larger pedestrian area will be created in front of the shops on the corner of Brook Street and Church Street which will also act as a market stall and small-scale events space. The pavements along Brook Street and Market Place will also be widened.

There are currently 34 parking spaces in the area, which will be increased to 37 after the work is complete as well as a designated loading bay, according to Charnwood Borough Council. A summary of the work also shows it is aimed to be completed by the end of the year.

These are the key areas of disruption expected throughout the work:

  • A section of Loughborough Road will be made one way from Brook Street to Church Gate/Butthole Lane (closed to traffic heading towards Brook Street) for around 19 weeks from mid-July. A diversion will be in place.
  • Brook Street will have traffic lights on it for most of the duration of the construction work
  • The resurfacing of the road on parts of Brook Street, Church Street and Loughborough Road will take place towards the end of the scheme. It will be undertaken in stages on different days to minimise disruption but will involve some short periods of road closures
  • New parking spaces in Church Street will be ready in August
  • Parking in Market Place (as it is now) will close in September
  • New parking spaces in Cheapside will be ready in November
What Market Place looks like now.
What Market Place looks like now.

Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that we can get this project underway as it will make this area of Shepshed much more attractive for people. These improvements have been drawn up in partnership with the town council and town team in consultation with local businesses and residents.

"It has long been established that improvements are needed to encourage people to visit the area and that means it needs to be an attractive environment. This will also make it a better place for residents and with the reduced speed limit and moving of the pedestrian crossing, it also makes it safer.

"It does mean there will be some disruption while construction takes place, but we have been working hard to minimise any impact on local businesses and residents. We will be keeping them up to date about the works and respond swiftly to any concerns."

Councillor Jane Lennie, Chair of Shepshed Town Council added: "The town council is glad that this regeneration is finally happening. Change is sometimes difficult, but the outcome can be a big improvement for our residents and businesses."

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