By George Peter Boyd
Image source: Google MapsStudents studying for end of term exams are frustrated at disruption caused by roadworks outside their flats in Leicester city centre.
Roadworks between Newarke Street and Oxford Street are being carried out to improve an existing crossing opposite the De Montfort University campus.
Residents of a student accommodation block next to the works received a letter from the council three days before the works were due to commence on Monday, November 4.
In the letter, the council stated: “The works entail the widening of the crossing between Newarke Street and The Newarke/DMU. They are programmed to commence on Monday 4thNovember 2019 and take approximately 4 weeks to complete.”
Law student Alice, whose bedroom window in the neighbouring Glassworks accommodation block overlooks the roadworks, said: “The work impacts my ability to study and relax in peace; I have enough stress from uni but now there’s this. I have exams coming up, how am I supposed to study for them?”
According to the council’s letter, work such as the use of masonry saws and excavation are permitted up until 11pm under the advice of the council’s noise control team.
Whilst the roadworks are being carried out by contractors Dyer and Butler, a section of Newarke Street has been reduced from three lanes down to two which has been causing traffic issues in the area.
While there are measures in place to ensure pedestrian access is maintained at all times, the high volume of students that use the crossing to get to the campus may cause issues at peak times.
Alice added: “I feel like 11pm is too late for the work to go up to. When you have a 9am lecture you really just want to sleep without being disturbed. They say the work will take around 4 weeks to do, but there’s really no clarity on when exactly it’ll finish.”
