Elmesthorpe diversion rat run drivers halted

Police have begun a crackdown on drivers who are using a closed road as a rat run to avoid a diversion in Leicestershire.

Burbage Common Road, between Burbage and Elmesthorpe, has been closed while a railway bridge is rebuilt.

Officers said the single-lane route was also shut as it could not cope with the traffic avoiding the main diversion.

They acted after complaints and handed out two £30 fixed penalty notices and turned 38 cars around in one day.

Insp Jon Brown, commander of the Blaby local policing unit, said: "The parish council has reported up to 70 vehicles an hour using it, and have witnessed many examples of poor and inconsiderate driving.

"The road is a single-track lane with passing places, and we want to prevent any accidents. We appreciate that this represents a significant diversion but our number one concern is for public safety."

Work began on the rail bridge on the B581 Station Road, in Elmesthorpe, last month and is due to last until January.