davieG Posted 31 March 2012 Posted 31 March 2012 Merc Belgrave flyover could be demolished by 2014, it has been revealed. The flyover, which carries thousands of vehicles a day between the city centre and Belgrave Road, is set to be removed as part of a major redevelopment by supermarket giant Sainsbury's. The structure has dominated the surrounding landscape for nearly 40 years. The firm wants to close its existing store in Belgrave and open a larger one in Rushey Mead. Its plans also include the demolition of the flyover, the creation of a tree-lined walk and a new area of shops at the foot of the Golden Mile. Sainsbury's has lodged a planning application with Leicester City Council and says, if permission is granted, it would look to start work on the project by the end of the year. The flyover's removal would be one of the first phases, and the entire project would be completed by the end of 2014. Manjula Sood, Belgrave ward councillor, welcomed the news. She said: "The majority of people would like to see the flyover go. "At the moment, we have a grotty entrance to the Golden Mile which is frankly not helped by the presence of the flyover. "It is also a very expensive structure for the city council to maintain." The firm says the flyover, which is crossed by more than 1,700 cars an hour during rush-hour, is oppressive and unwelcoming for pedestrians and offers "no substantive benefits to traffic flows in the local area". As well as removing the flyover, the company plans to realign the existing roads around Belgrave roundabout, which the flyover crosses, and create a pedestrian walkway from the roundabout to the start of the Golden Mile. The Mercury reported earlier this year that Sainsbury's had said it was happy to cover the entire cost of demolishing the flyover – a move that could save taxpayers several millions of pounds. Chairman of Leicester Civic Society Stuart Bailey said: "I'm delighted it is going. "The wretched thing should never have been built in the first place. "It's an eyesore which we didn't need. "I'm delighted Sainsbury's will be footing the bill to get shot of it." Akaash Ajani, 43, who lives in Dorset Street, near the flyover, said: "I won't miss it. "It's ugly and it funnels traffic up Belgrave Road creating congestion." Sainsbury's says its proposals will create hundreds of jobs. The firm says once the Belgrave store relocates to Rushey Mead, on the site of the former GE Lighting factory, its Belgrave Road site would be redeveloped to make way for a range of new shops, including a smaller Sainsbury's store, plus food and drink outlets and business units. The new 80,000 sq ft Sainsbury's and petrol station at GE Lighting would create up to 300 new part and full-time jobs in addition to the existing 140 positions held by staff at the Belgrave Road store, who will be given the opportunity to transfer. The company said about a third of the GE Lighting land would be reserved for future business use – to encourage new businesses to start up or established ones to develop further, which could lead to about another 200 jobs being created. Tim Watkins, Sainsbury's portfolio development manager, said the plans submitted to the council followed extensive consultation with the community. Feedback received during the consultation led to "enhancements to our highways proposals and design features", he said. Mr Watkins added: "We're delighted to have submitted our plans for a new, bigger and better Sainsbury's at Rushey Mead, and the linked regeneration of the site Sainsbury's currently occupies at Belgrave Road." The application will now be considered by the city council.
Webbo Posted 31 March 2012 Posted 31 March 2012 I have vague memories of it being built when we lived up there.
SystonFox Posted 31 March 2012 Posted 31 March 2012 it may be an eyesore but how mental will the roundabout beneath the flyover be during peak times? FML
Trav Le Bleu Posted 31 March 2012 Posted 31 March 2012 it may be an eyesore but how mental will the roundabout beneath the flyover be during peak times? FML That is also my initial thought. At rush hour it is chocka, even given that half the traffic is heading overhead.
renards Posted 31 March 2012 Posted 31 March 2012 Was a cock up from day one, built as two lanes, didn't work out as road too narrow at exit
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