High Street
High Street has been reconfigured into a high quality pedestrian street within the heart of the rejuvenated city centre. The removal of buses has made it possible to transform the area, with space for pavement cafes, seating and feature lighting. Large street trees have been incorporated into the design to provide a pleasant pedestrian-focussed environment and to create a contrast of character with other streets.
The eastern end of the street links into the new East Gates public open space and the enhanced setting for the Clock Tower. The High Street is a key street space within Leicester and the design creates a unique environment for shopping, working and eating. Materials used; principally granite; are consistently used across the city to ensure that all the enhanced streets within the city will provide a unique experience and a strong Leicester identity.
Main features of the design:
- High Street reconfigured for pedestrian priority
- Flush paving for the full width of the street
- Design accommodates vehicular servicing requirements – without vehicle routes dominating
- Street trees added as a significant civic feature within the city centre
- Design includes new seating, bike parking and lighting
- De-cluttering through relocation of ‘phone boxes & other elements
- Main paving in mid-grey granite, with contrasting black granite units
- Feature illumination of benches, trees and paving to enhance views along the street
- High quality functional lighting, providing balanced illumination
- Feature seating area where Carts Lane meets High Street.