Category: Leicester

Drivers are being warned of road closures as a £1m programme of road repairs and resurfacing across Leicester began this week.On Monday, Wilne Street in Spinney Hills closed for two days of resurfacing.The full length closure is the first in a timetable which will see more than 28,500 sq m (306,700 sq ft) of 10 streets worked on until the end of August.The council said diversions will be signposted while repairs are carried out, and added work has been planned over the school summer holidays when there is less traffic.After Wilne Street, work moves to King Newton Street on Wednesday and Thursday.Overnight works are planned for Heron Road at its junction with Kingfisher Avenue, in North Evington, on Friday.The next project is then on 11 and 12 July, when part of Gwendolen Road, between Dorothy Road and Constance Road, is resurfaced.Morley Road, in Wycliffe, is due to be resurfaced over three days from 13 July.Butterwick Drive in Beaumont Leys will see its full length resurfaced over a fortnight, beginning on 20 July, followed by 12 days of resurfacing along Leycroft Road from 1 August.

British Transport Police has confirmed that eight people remain in a critical condition in hospital today (22 June), following the train crash close to Bedford on Friday evening (19 July).Officers were called to the line by Elstow, Bedfordshire at 5.15pm on Friday following reports that two East Midlands Railway trains had collided. A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response took place – with support from our colleagues at Bedfordshire Police, the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services and the National Police Air Service.Over 100 people have received treatment at hospital. 53 of those remain in hospital today and eight are in a critical condition. These numbers are changing frequently and are likely to continue to change as the week moves forward.Tragically, the driver of one of the trains was pronounced dead at the scene. Shaun Burton’s family paid tribute to the 60-year-old yesterday and are being supported by specialist officers from BTP.Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone at BTP are with the driver Shaun Burton’s family and colleagues, and all those injured and affected by the collision on Friday.“This is a priority investigation for BTP and our experienced senior investigating officer is working in parallel with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full circumstances of how this incident came to happen. We have recovered personal property from the two trains and will shortly be providing an update on how affected passengers can retrieve their belongings.“Friday evening witnessed an awful incident that presented complexities and challenges for all those who responded.  I have been humbled by the actions of passengers and staff who were on the trains, and by the professionalism of our officers, the wider emergency services and partners.“The recovery operation is now underway, and work continues this week to remove the damaged trains and carriages and allow the railway to reopen.“Lastly, our investigation team are looking to speak to everyone who was on the affected trains at the time of the collision. I would urge anyone who hasn’t already spoken to police to get in touch with BTP.”

Multiple crews are tackling a large fire in a field in Leicestershire.Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said the blaze started on Monday in Kegworth Lane, outside Long Whatton.Pumps from Loughborough, Shepshed and Castle Donington stations are at the scene, with support from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.Local residents should remain indoors and close windows and doors to avoid smoke inhalation, LFRS added.With temperatures high and rising, LFRS has urged people to report any fires in the open by calling 999, and help crews locate the fire by downloading what3words to your smartphone.

Emergency services have issued a renewed warning about the dangers of swimming in open water as warm and sunny weather continues across Nottinghamshire.Police said officers were previously called to Holme Pierrepont, in May 2026, after reports of groups jumping into the water.There were also reports of people entering the River Trent from both sides of the water close to Weir Fields Recreation Ground, Beeston Rylands.Neighbourhood officers attended and gave advice to those at the scene, with both locations being monitored.Emergency services are reminding people that open water can be dangerous, even during hot weather.Almost half of accidental drownings happen during the warmer months and often involve people making a spur-of-the-moment decision to enter the water.Risks include very cold water temperatures, even in summer, strong underwater currents, sudden changes in depth, debris, weeds, pumps and other hidden hazards.Inspector Tim Cuthbert, neighbourhood inspector for Rushcliffe, said: “It’s going to remain very warm and sunny this next week and people will obviously want to be out and about enjoying the start of summer.“People will want to be keeping cool but jumping into open water puts yourself and other people’s lives at risk.“The Trent and other rivers and canals around Nottinghamshire may look incredibly enticing but you won’t know the dangers that lurk beneath the surface.“There are no lifeguards, you don’t know how deep it is, or what’s in the water.“You could get tangled up in weeds, land on discarded items, or seriously injure yourself.“Even with the hot weather, the water could still be cold and cause cold water shock.“No matter how strong a swimmer you believe you are, or if your mates are jumping in, or you’re following a trend on TikTok and egging each other on – remember the dangers.“I’d also urge people not to be a bystander. If you see anyone putting themselves at risk, tell them they could get seriously hurt.“Please enjoy the good weather but don’t go jumping or swimming in open water. It’s really not worth the risk.”Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Natasha Neale, added: “We would reiterate the safety advice from our colleagues in policing.“Water, especially deep water, can be much colder than the air temperature, even after prolonged hot weather spells.“However enticing it can be to cool off in open water, cold water shock can make swimming difficult. Coupled with potential unknown objects under the water’s surface and currents, even strong swimmers can get into difficulty quickly.“If you see someone in difficulty in the water, phone 999 and ask for the fire service. Give an accurate location using what3words or landmarks and instruct the person to float on their back. Never enter the water yourself.”

Some temporary lane restrictions will be required and nearby residents have been warned there could be noise disturbance, the council said.Letters have been delivered to nearby homes and businesses to give notice of the forthcoming work, which may be noisy.Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport and environment, said: “This extension to two existing red routes is being introduced to tackle the problem of cars and lorries stopping illegally along this busy road.”It will help cut congestion, keep traffic moving more efficiently and improve journey times for all road users on this important route in and out of the city.”Officials said there were no current plans to install fixed enforcement cameras on the red route, but the new rules would be enforced by the city council’s CCTV camera car.

A man has been been taken to hospital in a serious condition following a van fire at a petrol station in Leicester.Leicestershire Police said emergency services were called to the station in Uppingham Road at 13:19 BST on Saturday. The force said a man in his 60s had suffered burn injuries and was taken to hospital, but no other people were injured.A 62-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, police added.Officers said part of Uppingham Road was closed, but has since reopened and the petrol station remained closed for investigation work.

Two men who filmed themselves threatening, assaulting and robbing several guests at a party in Leicestershire have been convicted.Leicestershire Police said Richile Vangu, 20, threatened attendees at a party in North Kilworth in the early hours of 21 November with a knife and demanded they hand over designer clothing and transfer money to him.The force added Vangu forced some of the victims to dance for him while an associate filmed it on a mobile phone.Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Vangu, of Bowes Road, London and Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, 19, of Slippers Place, London were found guilty on Friday of multiple offences. They are due to sentenced on 27 July.Police said when some victims told Vangu they could not each transfer £1,000 – the sum he demanded – they were told to go to an address in Bath Lane later the same day to pay.On the afternoon of 21 November, some of those who had been at the party went to Bath Lane, where they did transfer money, officers said.While inside the property, police said Vangu fired a BB gun at them and repeatedly whipped one of the victims with a belt. Some of the group were also punched repeatedly.This was filmed by one of the group and uploaded to social media, the force added.

THE FLAG of the Armed Forces will be raised at Leicester’s Town Hall on Monday (22 June) to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.
Leicester’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Kulwinder Singh Johal, will be joined by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mike Kapur OBE, CStJ, for the ceremony at 1.30pm.
The flag will be flown until Armed Forces Day on Saturday (27 June), when Leicester will host its annual Armed Forces Day parade.
The parade, led by the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders, will be made up of serving military, reservists, veterans and cadets and will step off from Belgrave Gate, near to the Haymarket car park, at 11am on Saturday. It will make its way past the Clock Tower, onto High Street, and fall out in Jubilee Square. 
A saluting dais will be positioned on High Street opposite Carts Lane, where the salute will be taken by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Lt Cdr James Callender from HMS Daring, the Royal Naval ship recently affiliated to Leicester and Leicestershire. 
They will be joined on the dais by the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council.
The parade will fall out in Jubilee Square, where a drumhead service will take place, starting at around 11.20am. The service will begin with the formation of the drumhead made up of five single drums and will be led by the Dean of Leicester and the Bishop of Loughborough.
Both the city council and the county council are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the authorities’ relationship with the armed forces and the services available to current and former personnel and their families.
Councillor Elaine Halford, the city council’s Armed Forces Champion, said “Coming together to recognise the work of our Armed Forces, both past and present, is always an honour, and we are ever aware of the increasing unrest across the world that still heavily relies on members of our services to stand and protect us all.  It is important that we continue to show them our gratitude for their commitment and dedication.”
Leicester’s Armed Forces Day Parade and Service has been organised by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Lieutenancy Office and Leicester Cathedral. 

Nottinghamshire County Council has published a list of 44 of the worst roads in the county which are due to be repaired.Nottinghamshire County Council is set to add 44 major resurfacing schemes to its 2026/27 highways capital maintenance programme as part of an £11m “Worst First” package for roads requested by elected members.A report to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, dated June 15, recommends approving the programme after highways officers and technical staff at Via East Midlands assessed more than 150 requests from county councillors.The proposed schemes have been selected using carriageway condition survey data and highway inspection defect records, with the council saying the 44 sites are those most suitable for resurfacing and would deliver the greatest improvement to the overall condition of the highway network.The work forms part of the second phase of the county council’s highways capital and revenue programmes, which was approved by Cabinet on April 20. That earlier report recommended additional highways investment totalling £58.75m, including £11m for member-requested resurfacing schemes under the “Worst First” approach.- Advertisement -The programme now being recommended has an estimated cost of around £11.2m. The report says this minor over-programming is expected to be absorbed by Via East Midlands from its forecast over-recovery of overheads. Financial comments in the report state the works would be funded from additional highways funding approved by Cabinet in April.Five schemes are proposed in Rushcliffe. These are Main Street in East Bridgford, from Kneeton Road to around 90 metres past Cross Lane; Colston Road in Cropwell Bishop, from a surface change around 330 metres east of the A46 to just past the junction at Skylark Hill; Tithby Road, from C28 Bingham Road to Cropwell Bishop Road in Cropwell Butler; Hickling Lane in Upper Broughton, from the A6006 Melton Road to Green Lane; and the C4 Gotham Road and Lantern Lane roundabout in East Leake.The Rushcliffe schemes have forecast cost bands ranging from £100,000 to £400,000. Tithby Road is listed as one of the longer local schemes, covering 2,000 metres, while Hickling Lane is proposed for in-situ reconstruction rather than standard resurfacing.Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, the programme includes major works in Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood. The largest single cost band listed in the appendix is for A6075 Debdale Lane and A6075 Priory Road in Mansfield, from A6191 Chesterfield Road North to the mini-roundabout at Church Hill, which is forecast at £700,000 to £800,000.Other higher-cost schemes include sections of C85 Salmon Lane in Annesley Woodhouse, the A614 Bawtry Road in Bircotes, the A60 Mansfield Road in Woodthorpe, Valley Road in Carlton, Bellamy Road in Mansfield, and several schemes in the £300,000 to £500,000 range.The report says not all member requests met the technical requirements for full resurfacing. Some locations have instead been identified as more suitable for other maintenance treatments, such as hotbox repairs or machine patching, and are being redirected into the prioritisation queue for those ongoing programmes.The council says a list of outstanding requests is expected to be released soon, setting out what is planned for each site. Locations that remain technically suitable for resurfacing but have not been included in this year’s programme are expected to be reconsidered for funding as part of the 2027/28 capital works programme.The report says the resurfacing programme supports the council’s wider objective of reducing the number of roads requiring maintenance and repairs. It also says the work supports the authority’s legal duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain highways in a safe condition.The environmental impact of the programme is also set out in the report. Resurfacing the 44 sites is expected to generate around 10,000 cubic metres of material from the existing road surfaces, which the council says would typically be recycled and reused as construction aggregate.However, the report also notes that asphalt production and paving are carbon-intensive. It estimates the proposed programme would require around half a million litres of virgin bitumen and could produce between 1,300 and 3,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during production and paving.The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment is being asked to approve the 44 schemes for addition to the 2026/27 highways capital maintenance programme. The report makes clear that the decision is to add the listed schemes to the programme, while other outstanding resurfacing requests will either be handled through alternative maintenance routes or reconsidered for future funding.Here is the full list of the 44 locationsAshfieldResurfacing of A608 Cordy Lane, Underwood, Selston, from near Willow Court – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing  of C85 Annesley Lane, Selston, from M1 Bridge to B600 Nottingham Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing and structural patching of Salmon Lane, Annesley Woodhouse, from Skegby Road to M1 bridge – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of B6020 Chapel Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, from B6018 Sutton Road to Wheatley Avenue – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing of B6020 Lane End / Urban Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, from Railway bridge to Portland Street – £200,000 to £250,000BassetlawResurfacing of A614 Bawtry Road, Bircotes, from near Elm Cottagebeyond Snape Lane travelling north – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A614 Bawtry Road, Bircotes, from near Snape Lane to Hawk’s Nest – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of A57 Markham Moor A1 Bridge North (A638) roundabout, the full roundabout – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A60 Doncaster Road / High Road, Carlton in Lindrick, from approach to bend at Red Lane to Pinfold Drive – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing and structural patching of A60 Doncaster Road, Langold, from Hodsock Park Lane Byway to A634 Oldcotes – £300,000 to £400,000BroxtoweResurfacing of B600 Main Road / Watnall Road, Watnall, from near Common Lane (end of layby) to Little Holland Gardens – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of B5010 Derby Road, Stapleford, from Toton Lane junction to surfacing joint at Hall Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing of Main Street, Newthorpe, from B6010 Beauvale past Greenacres to surface change near bend at No 202 – £200,000 to £250,000GedlingResurfacing of A60 Mansfield Road, Arnold – from the Ram Inn near Henry Street to Arch Hill Layby – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing of A60 Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, from the junction at Woodthorpe Drive to the junction at A6514 Valley Road – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of Killisick Road, Arnold, from Gleneagles Drive to Parry Way – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Valley Road, Carlton, from Marshall Hill Drive to Foxhill Road – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing of Birchfield Road, Arnold, from Oakdale Road to Homefield Avenue – £250,000 to £300,000Gunthorpe Road, Gedling, from Stanhope Road to Bayliss Road – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Hilton Road, Mapperley – whole road length – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing of Godfrey Street, Netherfield – whole road length – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing of Whittingham Road, Mapperley, from Haywood Road to Kent Road – £50,000 to £100,000MansfieldResurfacing of A6075 Debdale Lane / A6075 Priory Road, Mansfield, from the junction for the A6191 Chesterfield Road North to mini roundabout at Church Hill, including the mini roundabout – £700,000 to £800,000Resurfacing of Bellamy Road, Mansfield – From the Lindhurst Lane roundabout to Bingham Road Roundabout, including the roundabout at Bingham Road, the Bingham Road roundabout to Gamston Road and Bingham Road roundabout to the A6191 Southwell Road West – £400,000 to £500,000Resurfacing at Priory Square / Station Street / High Street, Mansfield, from Rose Lane to the A6075 Debdale Lane junction – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing at C140 Atkin Lane / High Oakham Hill, Mansfield, from High Oakham Road to the Alexandra Avenue bend – £50,000 to £100,000Resurfacing at Sandlands Way, Mansfield – from the Mini roundabout at the junction of Sandlands Way and New Mill Lane – £50,000 to £100,000Surface dressing on Sandlands Way / New Mill Lane, Mansfield, from the B6030 Clipstone Road East to Sanderling Way (Foxglove PH) – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing on B6033 Bath Lane / Ravensdale Road, Mansfield, from the roundabout at Barringer Road to the pedestrian refuge near the mini roundabout at Brunt’s School Access (travelling west) – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Cedar Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, from Park Hall Road to Hazel Grove – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing on Ruskin Road, Mansfield, from the A6075 Abbott Road junction to approximately 20 metres past Peel Crescent junction – £50,000 to £100,000Resurfacing on York Terrace, Market Warsop – Whole road length – £50,000 to £100,000Barringer Road, Mansfield, from Ravensdale Road to Old Mill Lane – £50,000 to £100,000Newark and SherwoodResurfacing on A6075 Forest Road / Tuxford Road, Ollerton, from Briar Road to the B6387 Main Road – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Haywood Oaks Lane, Blidworth, from Dale Lane to Haywood Oaks Farm Cottages –  £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Normanton Road / Station Road, Southwell, from Newark Road to Corkhill Lane (including the junction) – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing on Balderton Lane, Coddington, from Barnby Road crossroads travelling north to 30mph limit entering Coddington – £300,000 to £400,000Resurfacing on Holme Lane / Langford Lane, Holme, from the A1133 to High Street junction, Holme – £150,000 to £200,000Resurfacing on Bilsthorpe Road / Main Street, Eakring, from the layby entering Eakring to Kirklington Road – £200,000 to £250,000RushcliffeResurfacing on Main Street, East Bridgford, from Kneeton Road to approximately 90 metres past Cross Lane – £250,000 to £300,000Resurfacing on Colston Road, Cropwell Bishop (Phase 1), from approximately 330 metres east of the A46 to approximately 10 metres past the junction at Skylark Hill – £200,000 to £250,000Resurfacing on Tithby Road, Tithby, from Bingham Road to Cropwell Bishop Road, Cropwell Butler – £300,000 to £400,000Reconstruction on Hickling Lane, Upper Broughton, from A6006 Melton Road to Green Lane – £100,000 to £150,000Resurfacing on Gotham Road / Lantern Lane Roundabout, East Leake – the whole roundabout – £100,000 to £150,000

18 June 2026

The latest students to benefit from a truly international education have graduated from an institute in China established by the University of Leicester and Dalian University of Technology (DUT).
A cohort of more than 200 students graduated from the Dalian Leicester International Institute (DLI) in Panjin, on Tuesday 16 June.
Established in 2017 to teach joint undergraduate degree programmes in China with the DUT, the Institute currently offers five undergraduate courses in Applied Chemistry, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.
Students are recruited from China but also have the opportunity to complete part of their studies at Leicester. They are taught by experts from both Leicester and DUT and are awarded degrees from both institutions when they graduate.
The class of 2026 comprises graduates who will go on to pursue further study at universities in China or have opted for overseas postgraduate or doctoral studies. A number have also secured employment.

This week’s graduation ceremony was attended by a delegation from the University of Leicester, which was led by President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah.
He told the graduates: “Today is a matter for great pride. You graduate with a degree from two world-class universities. This will have a major advantage in an increasingly competitive job market in China, as well as in the world.
“You are all shining examples of success and the global education you have received will mean you are prepared for what comes next.
“Your degree represents far more than academic achievement. It demonstrates resilience, adaptability, collaboration, communication and critical thinking – the very qualities employers and communities increasingly value in a fast-changing world.
“Use your education not only to enrich your own life, but to improve the lives of others.”
Professor Jingzhe Pan, Dean of Dalian Leicester Institute (DLI) at the University of Leicester, said: “I am very proud about the great achievements made by our DLI students, these are the best possible award to all our staff who have been working hard to deliver and support the DLI programs.”
Professor Jingjing Zhan, Assistant President of Dalian University of Technology, said: “As the first Chinese Dean of DLI, I am very proud to see so many young talents have graduated every year. We are incredibly proud of our graduates. Their remarkable academic success is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between two institutions.”
There are currently 1,200 students studying at the Dalian Leicester Institute (DLI). They are taught by staff at Dalian University of Technology, flying faculty and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teachers in Panjin, a city in Liaoning Province in the north-east of the country. Fifty per cent of the course is taught by Leicester staff and 50% by Dalian University of Technology staff, with 100% of the programme delivered in English. Around 80% of graduates go on to further study, many of whom choose to study in the UK.
The University of Leicester has a Chinese-language website which provides information for potential applicants.