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In Focus
The council want to hear residents' opinions on new five year air quality plan
Local people are being asked for their views on a refreshed version of an 'ambitious' action plan that is helping to improve air quality in Leicester.
Leicester City Council has published a new draft air quality action, which will cover the period 2025 to 2030, for public consultation. It covers fiv4 key areas:
Air quality monitoring, public awareness and engagement,
Promoting, supporting and encouraging sustainable transport
Reducing emissions from transport
Optimising traffic management
Development control and regulatory services.
In Leicester, over the past ten years, the city has seen levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fall by around 38.5 per cent across the city’s monitoring stations. And in 2021, it was identified that N02 levels had significantly decreased in the city, and that road traffic is the main source of pollution within Leicester.
Councillor Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “Leicester has every reason to be extremely proud of the dramatic improvements we have seen in air quality across the city over recent years”
Leicester has seen changes made to improve air quality in the past, with some measures achieving just that. A range of plans has been put in place, such as the ‘Healthier Air for Leicester’, Leicester draft Transport Plan and now, Leicester’s Air Quality Action Plan.
Under these and as of 2022, the council have managed to introduce electric buses to operation fleets and install 203 solar bus shelters. They have also been able to retrofit several buses to reduce emissions, with more than 250 buses receiving this. E-bike cycle schemes have been pushed, which have been successful, with the council seeing an increasing number of individuals using this mode of transport.
“Since the launch of our first Air Quality Action Plan, we have seen a huge reduction in air pollution. It is very encouraging that Leicester is now fully compliant with national limits for all pollutants, but we know there is still more to be done,” said Geoff Whittle.
“We remain absolutely committed to further reducing levels of harmful air pollution to help positively impact on the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives, works or spends time in Leicester.”
Poor air quality can cause significant health complications, such as strokes, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and pneumonia.
Councillor Whittle continued: “The new draft air quality action plan sets out how we aim to achieve that over the next five years. We’re keen to hear people’s feedback on it, and I would encourage people to take part in the consultation.”
Alongside the proposal, Leicester City Council are asking businesses and residents to come forward and put their opinion forward on the changes that are being proposed. You can do this by following the link. The consultation closes on Friday, 27 September.
🌤️ Monday: A bright start with some sunshine. Cloud will build into the afternoon, with some showery rain into the evening. Max temps 22C with a fresh south-west wind gusting to 30mph at times.
🌤️ 💧Tuesday-Friday: A few showers on Tuesday with a max temperature of 22C with a fresh west wind. Wednesday to Friday will be mainly dry with variable cloud but some sunny intervals with a top temperature of 22C but still a fresh west wind gusting to 30mph at times. Min temps 11C, so feeling fresher than of late.
🌤️ Weekend: Mainly dry with variable cloud but some sun at times, but still a noticeable west breeze gusting to 25mph. Min temps 11C.
🎒 Number of homeless Leicestershire children reaches all-time high: The number of Leicestershire children classed as homeless has hit an all-time high. Some 1,035 kids across the city and county lived in temporary accommodation at the end of March 2024, new Government data revealed. The Council proposed to tackle rough sleeper support in January in a bid to save money. However, the cash-'strapped local authority backtracked on the plan' - Leicester Mercury
🩺 GP surgery staff facing 'excessive workloads': Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors found employees at Braunstone’s Hockley Farm Medical Practice were left with “excessive workloads”, in particular in the pharmacy, due to staffing levels.On the day of inspection, they said, it was not clear who had oversight of the pharmacy team or who was responsible for staff training within the practice in the absence of a practice manager - BBC Leiecester
🏢 Coalville project hopes to raise £450k to own community building: Coalville CAN has raised over £176,000 so far in the hopes of buying its building and putting Coalville on the map. Members of the community have the opportunity to become part of Coalville CAN by investing in the purchase of a community building in the town - In Your Area
🏥 Major step forwards in Leicestershire surgical centre plan amid £34 million investment: Work on the Community Diagnostics Centre, in Hinckley, is progressing. The unit is expected to join the new Community Diagnostics Centre currently being built at Hinckley Hospital, with £10 million in funding now granted by the Government and NHS England for its completion - Leicester Mercury
🪦 Shopper's funeral attire for last day of M&S store: The store, which was known as a 'stalwart of Leicester', shut on Saturday. One shopper, 60-year-old Margherita Stevens, wore a veil to the closure. Stevens stated: “I used to come here because I knew people, I felt connected. This is ripping the heart out of Leicester, it’s not just a shop closing, for me, it’s a chapter of my life that I will never get back.” - BBC East Midlands
🪰 Inside neighbourhood of horror as locals terrorised by flies 'trapping families' in homes: Nine properties have been put up for sale "due to the flies", residents say, with kids unable to play outside in the summer holidays. Locals blame a nearby recycling centre for the problem, combined with hot temperatures and a move to fortnightly bin collections - The Express
🏥 Leicestershire NHS trust asks: How do you want to die?: A Leicestershire NHS trust is asking people to give their views on what end-of-life care should look like. The Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB), which oversees the delivery of NHS services in the city and two counties, is in the process of developing a new strategy for caring for people who need palliative or end-of-life support - Great Central Gazette
✈️ DMU students land international aviation award: Competing as DMU Merlin, they are one of just 38 student teams worldwide to take part in the UAS Challenge 2024, hosted annually by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers to develop and inspire the next generation of professionals - De Montfort University
💸 Leicester are a warning of what can go wrong for clubs on limit of budget: Jonathan Wilson writes: “Leicester’s past three seasons have been undermined by the recognition that PSR was coming for them. Worse, though, is the taint this casts on those fifth-place finishes, the sense that for a non‑super-club to compete at all, they have to take a cavalier attitude to the regulations.” - The Guardian
🚑 Ambulance service slams 'riots, racism and Islamophobia': East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), which covers Leicester and Leicestershire, said it “wholeheartedly condemns” such behaviour, slamming it as “malicious acts of deliberate violence and intimidation” which it branded as “horrifying.” - Great Central Gazette
Among the many stalls and attractions, this weekend at Leicester Mela festival, there were live performances from multiple performers such as Kansah X (a West Midlands fusion rapper) and Leicester singer Rohit Vadher.
A family friendly day-out, with the opportunity to be involved in baking competitions, and the chance to meet Marks & Spencers' Percy Pig. The festival runs from 12 - 4pm.
Experience eight acres of a maize maze, alongside an exciting Quiz Trail, high-level bridges, and viewing towers. Open daily, from 10am-6pm, then on weekends until 15 September. £7.95 for children, under 2s free, and adults £9.95. A familt ticket costd £32. No need to book in advance.
Listen to live music performances from emerging local-based talent. The performance starts at 8pm. Standard ticket £6 and groups £17.85. The guest list closes on Tuesday, 20 August.
Enjoy a family-friendly geology themed exhibition, at the National Space Centre, with a guided planetarium tour. Adult tickets cost £19.95, but a couple of quid less for children and concessions.
The Ride Leicester Festival presents an exciting celebration with live music, and an art market. Held at the Town Hall Square, and Green Dragon Square, A guided cycling tour starts at 10:30am. Booking is required for the guided cycling rides. Starts 1pm. Held at various locations within Leicester.
Right in the city centre on High Cross Street, this is a modern two-bedroom flat. With an open-plan living and dining area, it has an en-suite bathroom in the master bedroom in addition to the main bathroom. Leasehold with 109 years remaining and no upward chain.
Upstairs of the Queen of Bradgate. Screenshot: Cool as Leicester
The Queen of Bradgate is due to celebrate it's 10 year anniversary, and they want you to join them! The main party starts from 5.30pm with live music, followed by a DJ after until late. There will be complimentary drinks and canapés being handed out when you arrive, or if you’re joining them in the daytime you can enjoy a free starter or dessert with any main meal from the menu (booking required). Entry is free all evening!
🏉 Women’s rugby: There are nine new additions to the Tiger Women’s squad. Additions include Leicester’s own Jenny Maxwell. Read More
🏀 Men’s basketball: Riders re-sign Duke Shelton for the 2024/25 season. After having signed for the first time in January 2024, Shelton says he is “excited to be back.” Read More
⚽️ Men's Football: Manager Steve Cooper confirms absence of Daka, Vardy and Coady ahead of Premiere League opener against Spurs on Monday night. In other news, EFL Cup second round confirmed as LCFC faces Tranmere Rovers at the King Power stadium on the 27 August. Read More
Nostalgia
by Megan Lupton
New Walk, 1900s. Photograph: Friends of New Walk
Edwardian women pictured strolling down New Walk near the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in the early 1900s.
You can read more about the history of New Walk here.
Hannah Richardson, Local Democracy Reporter
Spencers Estate Agents
