By Samuel Gill
Advice on travelling to, car parking and road closures for Leicester’s Diwali Day celebrations which come to a climax tonight have been issued to help visitors.
Tonight’s Diwali Day event in the Belgrave Road area will include an aerial firework display as well as a Diwali Village on the Cossington Street site which will feature a full stage programme.
Dancers taking part in last year’s Diwali celebrations in Leicester – Photo: Leicester Council
For those who are visiting the events taking place tonight, here is a quick guide for travel, car parking and road closures in the area.
A full closure of Belgrave Road and the junctions of its side roads will be in place from 5.30pm until about 9.30pm during which time no vehicles will be allowed access.
Road closure map showing which roads are not in use during tonight’s events -Photo: Leicester Council
Any cars who cause an obstruction will be ticketed and towed away. Anyone else who parks in this area will be issued with a Penalty Charge notice.
A Park and Ride Service will be back by popular demand. This will be run from Birstall Park & Ride.
This runs to the Abbey Park Road side from 4pm to 8pm and return journeys will run from the site from at 8.30pm to 10pm. The cost will be £4 per person for a return journey or £6 for a group of up to 5 people travelling in a car together.
The cost for concessionary pass holders is £1 for a return journey but Park & Ride Season Tickets are not valid for tonight’s events.
Car Parking spaces in and around the Belgrave Road area are very limited and the council is advising visitors to use public transport or the park and ride.
A 24-hour NCP car park is situated in Abbey Street which is either a three-minute walk to the bus stops or approximately a 15-minute walk from the event.
Parking is also available at the Haymarket Centre and at Lee Circle, both a 15-minute walk from the event.
In addition, the following bus services will run from near to or on Belgrave Road:
- Number 2 – Loughborough
- Number 5/5A – East Goscote/Melton
- Number 6 – Syston
- Numbers 25, 26 & 54 – Beaumont Leys
- Numbers 126/7 – Shepshed/Loughborough
Alternative routes will have to be used by some services including the 21 and 22 to Rushey Mead, 6 to Thurmaston and 5, 5A to Melton will have to use Marfitt and Catherine Street. The 25/6 to Beaumont Leys and Loughborough services (2 & 126) will use Abbey Lane.
People are advised to visit choosehowyoumove.co.uk for up to date travel information on the night of the event.
Royal Sweets in Melton Road is run by Sam Musani, who said: “Diwali is like Christmas at Toys R Us for us. It’s about family, food and fireworks.”
Ranu Kamota and her daughter Rupa Jakhu (left) have been running Kabhi Kabhi Sweet Mall shop for the last 35 years and have seen many Diwalis from their business.
businesses and both Royal Sweets and Kabhi Kabhi Sweet Mall are looking forward to being with their family and sharing sweets and celebrating this event that is so important to the Indian community and culture.
