Work starts on Leicestershire road safety scheme

Work to improve road safety and cut accidents on a busy route in Leicestershire has begun.

Improvements to the 13-mile stretch of the A447 between Hinckley and Ibstock are being carried out by the county council.

The £120,000 road safety scheme includes the introduction of improved hazard signs, a new right-turn lane and road markings along the route.

The improvement works are due to be finished in early 2011.

'Residents' concerns'

The council said the safety scheme follows an accident investigation which showed there had been 88 accidents involving injuries over a three-year period.

Lesley Pendleton, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The improvements are designed to improve road safety along this busy route running between the A47 and the A511 and to cut the number of accidents.

"I'm pleased that we are responding to residents' concerns and bringing in changes to help motorists.

"The speed-reducing measures form part of the county council's local transport plan, which aims to make Leicestershire's roads safer and reduce casualties."