At their January meeting, Ashby Labour Party members voiced their concerns over pedestrian safety around Ashby town centre.

Three areas in sore need of improvement were highlighted - the junction of Market Street and Brook Street, the South Street entrance to the Bath Grounds and the bottom of Kilwardby Street, near the Shoulder of Mutton.

Ashby's Labour County Council candidate, Debbie Jackson, told the Zoom meeting that all three sites had been identified in the Ashby Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in 2018, as known hot spots needing attention.

South Street and Kilwardby Street would benefit from pedestrian crossings, whilst the Brook Street/ Market Street junction required a more imaginative solution.

"The Plan suggests that these works are only likely to be achieved through funding from developers, but no money has been forthcoming despite the many new developments in and around Ashby," she said.

"With the County's current attitude to developer funding, there seems little prospect going forward.

"I believe that the County Council, which is responsible for highway safety measures, should be proactive in getting this work underway as quickly as possible.

"I am also very concerned that no progress has been made on implementing any part of the Ashby Cycle Strategy since it was adopted as a Strategic Planning Document in 2018.

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"We particularly need a safe cycle route from Ashby to Hicks Lodge, so we can use the excellent facilities without risking our lives getting there. The fact that the car park at Hicks Lodge is regularly full is proof that we can't get there safely by bike.

"I'll be putting pedestrian and cycling safety issues at the heart of my County Council election campaign. The County will be producing its own Cycling and Walking Strategy in the summer and it's essential that Ashby's needs are fully covered."