People from Kegworth invited to have a say as Market Place project moves forwards

Published: Wed 24 May, 2023

• Plans to improve Kegworth Market Place have been produced by Kegworth Parish Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Leicestershire County Council

• Residents and businesses can share their thoughts on the plans – www.nwleics.gov.uk/kegworth

Residents, businesses and people with an interest in the village are invited to share their views, as a revised plan for Kegworth Market Place is revealed.

The new plan takes into account feedback from businesses in and around Market Place, as well as comments from the public. This includes keeping the same number of parking spaces and re-opening the southern end as an entrance.

The plan also focuses on the safety of all users – including pedestrians, cyclists and those with disabilities – and the ease of access to Market Place from the road. It is hoped the improved space will encourage people into the village centre to shop, eat and enjoy the many community events held there.

The new plan will:

• Maintain the existing number of 23 parking spaces – 19 on Market Place (including two dedicated disabled spaces), plus four spaces on the road by the bus stop.
• Retain the northern end of Market Place as both an entrance and exit for vehicles
• Re-open the southern end for one-way vehicular access (no exit)
• Improve access for deliveries to businesses in Market Place
• Provide a better, safer parking layout
• Ensure disabled parking spaces are near the Co-op supermarket

• Improve seating and planting, making it a pleasant place to stop and sit
• Provide bike parking

From Monday 5 June until Monday 3 July local residents and businesses, as well as anyone else with an interest in the village, are invited to complete a questionnaire to share their views on the revised plan. This will be available, along with the plans and examples of proposed street furniture and surface materials, in the Kegworth Parish Council offices, as well as online at www.nwleics.gov.uk/kegworth.

The Parish Council offices will be open Mondays through to Thursdays, 9.30am to 12 noon, from 5 June. Members of the project team will also be available answer questions on:

• Monday 5 June, 9.30am-12 noon and 6-7pm
• Monday 12 June, 6-7pm
• Wednesday 21 June, 9.30am-12 noon
• Thursday 29 June, 9.30am-12 noon
• Monday 3 July, 6-7pm

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “Improvements to the Market Place have been under discussion since the opening of the bypass and we are delighted, after a few false starts and a pandemic, to be able to reveal to the people of Kegworth the new plan for the centre of this historic village. I would encourage everyone with an interest in the village to take a look at this and share their views.”

Andrew Priestley, Chair of Kegworth Parish Council, added: “We have taken on board all the comments and feedback received over the duration of this project and believe we now have a plan that satisfies these as well as legal, cost and safety issues.

“One of the key requests from the people of Kegworth was that they wanted to retain the same number of car parking spaces and this plan achieves that – as well as providing a space that can be used for community events, provides a safer route for people on foot or wheels, and is a pleasant place to stop and sit while you visit the great shops and businesses around Market Place.  

“It’s now over to residents and businesses to let us know what they think, ahead of further surveys related to utilities are completed, final plans drawn up and the street furniture and surface materials ordered.”

Public views will be taken into account when finalising the plans, alongside legal and safety considerations and detailed onsite investigations into underground utilities, such as water and gas mains.

The £1 million project, which has also involved new gateways to Kegworth, is due to be completed by Spring 2024. The project is being funded by £500,000 from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, £450,000 from North West Leicestershire District Council, and £50,000 from Kegworth Parish Council.

Further information about the project, plans and ways to provide feedback can all be found at  www.nwleics.gov.uk/kegworth.