Agenda item

An officer will be present to discuss the proposed access to Great Central Way from Marsden Lane.

Louise Seymour, Head of Development Projects, Leicester City Council, presented visuals of the proposed Marsden Lane ramp (attached for information).

It was explained that a planning application for the ramp would be submitted in the next three to four weeks, and as part of the consultation process had been brought to the Aylestone Ward Community Meeting.

The following information was provided:

The ramp would go from Great Central Way (GCW) to Marsden Lane car park to provide ramp access for all, including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs and scooter users but it would not replace the steps in situ. It would be located just south of the farm and east of the car park area. The proposed ramp would be large due to the height difference between the canal and car park and the need to achieve a 1:15 gradient. There would be a three-metre flat area every nine meters of the ramp to assist those pushing wheelchair, prams etc.

The ramp will be timber and is considered sympathetic to its environment. The timber will have a high level of fire-retardant treatment and has been designed by engineers with maintenance and durability in mind. The ramp would be sectional ramp so the chances of it all burning was extremely unlikely.

The following questions were raised and responses by officers given:

Will they fill the sides of the ramp for the safety of children?

The ramp will be designed safely. At its highest part it will have a 1.4metre parapet. The current design is an artist’s impression and will be built to building control and safety standards.

Is it comparable to the Everards bridge?

We have been told it is very similar.

Will there be any bollards or anything as on occasion people come across on quad bikes?

There will not be bollards as it would also cause an obstruction for wheelchairs, scooters and pushchairs. Anti-social behaviour cannot be designed out in this sort of structure as it will affect accessibility and has to be designed to minimum width.

Given that is going to improve access, the car park is very small and overflowing into the street. What provisions are going to be made for that as the access will naturally attract more people? Also the stables will be in full public view and security issues need addressing.

There is already access to the GCW and there were no plans to change the car park. There was ongoing consultation on the ramp and there will be a planning application to comment on. Council officers will liaise with the owner of the stable site, and the users.

There is a gate at either end in Everards meadow. I noticed all mothers with prams and cyclists were closing the gate behind them. Still with access for all in mind could there be a gate on this bridge?

This was noted and it was agreed that this could be looked at, however it would need to remain accessible to wheelchair and scooter users.

I live on Marsden Lane and do see motorbikes, but I am supportive of the ramp. Could it be closed at the end of each day?

It would not be possible to close it at the end of the day as it was public access. The gate suggestion could be looked at with the designer..

There aren’t many car spaces in the car park and we don’t want it expanding.

There were no plans to expand the car park.

On behalf of Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society, and as a result of lobbying the Council for the ramp, it is the right thing to do for everybody to have access to GCW and other access points to Aylestone Meadows Country Park, but it is recognised there are difficulties and problems with motorcyclists and problems up GCW all night.

Motorcyclists would still be able to access GCW at other points.

A mobility scooter would not have been able to use the gate at Everards Bridge. Could a more wheelchair-friendly gate be used?

Options would be looked into but it may be a gate cannot be used.

If the full planning application is made in September, when do you intend to start to build and how long will it take?

Following the planning application there would be a tender process for contracts that would probably take about four to six months, so would not be on site until January / February 2020. Hopefully the ramp would be complete by this time next year.

In the public notices in the Leicester Mercury it was stated some footpaths in Aylestone Meadows were closing but did not say why?

The pathways were closes temporarily while there was some re-levelling work in areas near to pebble beach to GCW.

People were in favour of the ramp but has got to work for everybody. It would not be fair if comments regarding the stables weren’t taken on board.

Any development would not be perfect for everybody, but officers took steps to try and mitigate issues. Other options had been looked at. Initially the first choice was to take the ramp from the other side of the car park but this wasn’t technically feasible for a number of reasons, including the loss of a lot of vegetation. A number of options had been considered prior to the current option being put forward

Once an application had been made, planning officers will look at planning issues and people’s objections.

Was there a significant reason why the ramp was being put from the car park? People could drive to another area to access the GCW with buggies and wheelchairs.

The ramp was being placed from the car park to give access to more people to this area. Consideration was given to provide a ramp for cyclists, wheelchair use – access for all.

The fears of parking issues had been noted and could be address during the planning process. Highways would be consulted in their statutory role.