EDL March: Traffic News

3 February 2012, 15:25 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Leicester city council is advising people to be aware that some buses and traffic will be re-routed in the city centre this Saturday (4th February), because of demonstrations taking place.

The English Defence League and Leicester United Against Facism plan to march through Leicester city centre from 12.30pm. It?s estimated that the marches will be over by 2pm.

There will be a small number of road closures and changes to city centre bus stops while the marches take place.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Rory Palmer who is responsible for transport said: "We want people to be able to visit the city centre as usual this Saturday, but they need to be aware there will be some disruption while the marches are under way.

"We will have to close some roads on the routes affected, and for safety reasons there will be no parking allowed on them from 9am on Saturday, but as the marches pass through our aim is to lift restrictions as quickly as we can.
"I hope that people will come into the city and enjoy the shops and restaurants as they usually would. They just need to be aware there will be some disruption for a short period in the middle of the day, and to plan for this.
"Some bus stops will have to be moved for a while because of the road closures, but information will be available at the bus stops and our city wardens will be on duty to give advice and help people to find where they need to go.
"Our aim is to make sure city centre on-street parking and roads are open as usual for late afternoon, in time for the opening night of the Leicester Comedy Festival."

• St Margaret's Way will be closed inbound from 9am on Saturday morning until the demonstration has ended. Businesses will still be able to access their premises, and alternative routes will be signed.
• King Street will also be closed from 9am until the LUAF march has ended. Access to businesses will be maintained. 
• There will be parking restrictions along the march routes from 6am to 6pm, although the council will lift this restriction sooner if possible.
• All of the city's car parks will be open as usual. Drivers using the Haymarket car park should expect some delays entering and leaving the car park between noon and 1.30pm.

Full details of the bus stop changes and road closures, and  more information about the demonstrations are on the council's website at www.leicester.gov.uk/demonstrations

The EDL will begin their march at St Margaret's Pastures. They will walk along St Margaret's Way, onto Burleys Way, turn right onto Abbey Street, and right again onto Belgrave Gate before heading down Church Gate and back towards St Margaret's Pastures.

Leicester UAF will begin their march on Welford Place, heading along Pocklingtons Walk and right into Millstone Lane, turning onto Horsefair Street and Halford Street. They will then turn right for a short distance on Charles Street before heading right along Belvoir Street and back to Welford Place.