A report prepared for local councillors contains proposals to re-model some of the crossing areas in Ashby town centre that are currently considered dangerous for pedestrians.

The suggestions form part of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's Cycling and Walking Strategy 2022 which was presented to last week's meeting of the planning committee.

The report says that improvements are needed to the junction of Brook Street and Market Street in terms of being able to cross the road safely.

A complete overhaul of the Brook Street junction is proposed, including the possibility of blocking it off and turning into a separate area in line with Ashby's Forest Town concept.

Also mentioned is the need for a pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Kilwardby Street where it meets the mini-roundabout outside North's Deli.

The report also adds that the pelican crossing in Derby Road - linking the Co-op and Ask Restaurant is wrongly positioned for shoppers wanting to cross by the roundabout.

It is made clear that these are only suggestions at the moment - but councillors have been urged to take these, and other, proposals to district and county council level.

The report says: "In the town centre at the bottom of Kilwardby Street, many people try to cross the road between La Zouch restaurant, the Shoulder of Mutton pub and North's Deli - and also between the exit of the Co-op Superstore and Bainbridge Court.

"With traffic accelerating up the hill from the double mini-roundabout, this crossing manoeuvre is dangerous.

"As highlighted in the neighbourhood plan, a pedestrian crossing is required at the bottom of Kilwardby Street, set at a safe distance back from the roundabout

"In Market Street, consideration should be given to a cycle lane or lanes, and potentially a 20 mph speed limit with appropriate traffic calming.

"However there are many difficulties associated with providing a safe cycling route along Market Street without major changes to vehicle flow and parking arrangement.

"Possible alternatives include North Street and/or South Street connecting the route through the Castle Field and Bath grounds.

"There are currently four bike rack to the bottom of market Street outside SOUK. There is a need for even more cycle racks at other locations within the town centre and possibly within the car parks.

"In Brook Street the junction between Brook Street and Market Street is a pedestrian safety hazard and also creates congestion due to traffic turning right into Brook Street from Market Street - and sometimes turning right from Brook Street into Market Street.

"This junction require some imaginative thinking and improved design for the mixed use of pedestrians cyclists and vehicles.

"The favoured solution would be to make Brook Street one way, north to south, with no right turn on to Market Street. But a complete closure of the Market Street junction might also be worth consideration.

"This potential solution would provide opportunities for improving the public space in this area, potentially providing additional car parking and/or a dedicated event space.

"Delivery facilities for the existing shops would still be required.

"The area could be designed to incorporate cycle racks, boot scrapers, water refills and benches.

"Part of the area could be landscaped to support the Forest Town concept and connection with National Forest.

"There is even the possibility of opening up part of the Gilwiskaw Brook here.

"The Derby Road[.L] pedestrian crossing to the Co-op and Ask should be relocated closer to the Market Street junction.

"Currently, it is so far away from the junction that pedestrians wishing to cross between Kilwardby Street and Market Street do not use it, and attempt to walk between the traffic instead

"Conversely, the pedestrian crossing at Bath Street is too close to the Market Street junction causing traffic congestion on the mini roundabouts."