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Bus Services Halted After Pedestrian Island Narrows Village Road in Leicestershire
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Bus Service Disruption in Queniborough
Arriva Midlands has withdrawn its buses from the centre of a Leicestershire village after a newly installed pedestrian island on Rearsby Road made the carriageway too narrow for the vehicles to pass safely. The company said the layout left insufficient space, forcing buses to mount the pavement if they attempted to continue the route.
Background of the Junction Upgrade
The pedestrian island was part of a junction upgrade carried out by contractors for developer David Wilson Homes. Work on the improvement was completed on a Saturday, but the design has been criticised by Leicestershire County Council highways officials as “not proved correct.”
Official Responses
- Arriva Midlands: Stated that the current road configuration does not provide enough clearance for its buses to travel without risking pavement intrusion.
- Leicestershire County Council: Confirmed that the design, implemented by the developer’s contractors, failed to accommodate the width required for bus traffic.
- James Poland, County Councillor for the village: Described the situation as a “shambles,” highlighting the disruption to local transport.
- David Wilson Homes: Told the BBC the company would meet council leaders on the following Wednesday to discuss a solution and implement changes to the junction as soon as possible.
Impact on Residents and Transport
The withdrawal of bus services has left villagers without regular public-transport options, affecting commuters, schoolchildren and residents who rely on the service for mobility. The narrow road now forces private vehicles to navigate a tighter space, raising safety concerns for pedestrians using the new island.
Next Steps
David Wilson Homes plans to meet with council officials to review the junction design and identify modifications that will restore bus access. The council has indicated that any agreed changes will be implemented promptly, though a specific timeline has not been provided.