Kegworth village centre improvement scheme

Market Place update

The vision for Kegworth’s Market Place is to create a major asset for the community for many years to come. While there have been a number of delays to the project, it is now back on track with a predicted completion date of Spring 2024.

Where we are now

The project board, made up of Kegworth Parish Council and North West Leicestershire District Council, has appointed Leicestershire County Council to deliver the works. The three authorities have worked together to create a revised plan for Market Place.

Alongside this, the project team has been addressing legal, ownership and access rights issues, which have now been resolved.

The revised plan takes into account feedback provided from businesses in and around Market Place, as well as comments from the public. It has focused on the safety of all users of Market Place – including pedestrians, cyclists and those with disabilities – and the ease of access to and from the highway.

The plan will: 

• Establish Market Place as a safe, attractive and flexible shared space – a car park which can also be used for events as required
• 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

The plan also includes improved access to Kegworth from the A6 bypass/London Road. This will be achieved by widening the existing footway (where possible) and installing a build-out near the old Britannia Inn, south of Whatton Road. This will help pedestrians cross the road and to slow down traffic approaching the village centre.

Share your views on the revised plan for Market Place

From Monday 5 June until Monday 3 July we will be asking for views on the revised plan, proposed materials and street furniture. The plans and the options for surface materials and street furniture will be displayed in the Kegworth Parish Council offices, as well as being available online.

Kegworth Market Place proposed layout (PDF Document, 0.49 Mb)

Kegworth footway plan (PDF Document, 0.82 Mb)

Kegworth Market Place Paving & Street Furniture option 1 - timber and stainless steel (PDF Document, 1.17 Mb)

Kegworth Market Place Paving & Street Furniture option 2 - black steel and aluminium (PDF Document, 0.84 Mb)

You will be able to view the plans in the parish council offices:

• Mondays to Thursdays, 9.30am-12 noon
• Monday 5 June, 12 June and 3 July, 6pm-7pm

If you have questions about the plans, members of the project board will be available:

• 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

From Monday 5 June until Monday 3 July, you can share your views on the new plan www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/kegworthmarketplace.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are available in the parish council offices. Alternatively please contact Arch Communications info@arch-comms.co.uk or the Parish Council 01509 670204 or email clerk@kegworthparishcouncil.gov.uk for a copy to be sent to you.

How we got here

The long-awaited Kegworth bypass opened in November 2018, removing much heavy traffic from the village. This created opportunities to think about what other improvements can be made.

The Parish Council consulted with the community, which led to the current layout of in Market Place. These changes increased car parking opportunities overall, but the layout of spaces in Market Place has not been popular.

Funding the changes

Consultation responses showed residents unhappy with proposals to see council tax bills increase to fund further work in the village. 

Funding was therefore sought from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and North West Leicestershire District Council. This was secured in 2020 and has since been extended to ensure the project can be delivered. In total, £1million is available.

A pandemic and a pause

Work started on producing concepts and ideas for Market Place which were due to be shared with residents and businesses in Kegworth in November 2020. With Covid restrictions hindering efforts to seek views from local people, and following initial negative feedback from the public, it was decided to pause and revisit the plans.

Talking to businesses in and around Market Place

In May 2021, businesses were invited to share their thoughts on the current Market Place layout and where they would like to see improvements. The findings were passed on to the designers and are informing revised proposals.

Gateways and bus shelters

As well as the work on Market Place, the funding for improving Kegworth’s centre covered the creation of gateways into the village to help slow traffic. This work has been completed, as has installing a new bus shelter opposite Market Place – bringing the bus stop and shelter together.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the Market Place project, take a look at our frequently asked questions. You can also contact info@arch-comms.co.uk.