Leicester Forest East
Encyclopedia
Leicester Forest East or LFE is a settlement in Leicestershire
, England
, west of Leicester
, straddling the M1 motorway
. It is part of the Blaby
district.
LFE is a popular location among commuters and young families. It was developed primarily between 1920 and 1985, seeing major developments constructed along the Hinckley Road (A47
) and to the south-east of the M1 throughout the 1930s. Large-scale housing developments took place in the 1960s, to the north-east and west of the M1 motorway. More recently a large housing project was constructed in the 1980s at the western edge of the settlement. The village takes its name from the ancient Leicester Forest
.
There are two pubs with hotels in LFE, both on the A47
. The Forest Park Inn is a recently-refurbished family motel with outdoor patio seating. The other is a much older establishment called The Red Cow. Both serve food and offer accommodation.
The Parish Hall is situated on King's Drive, by the playing field/park. A new playpark was installed in early 2009.
There are two places of Christian worship - St Andrews, an ecumenical church with Anglican and Methodist congregations. Also behind the church there is a local Cub & Scout Troop (92nd LFE). There is a meeting house for the Jehovahs witness community situated on Hinckley Road.
There is also the nearby Forest Chapel, where a playgroup and Day Care centre (forest chapel day care) also run from.
Facilities for cyclists are improving, with cycle lanes being provided along the greater part of Hinckley Road during April 2009. The main routes to and from the city, and to major shopping areas are indirect and on busy roads. There are no secure cycle parking facilities at the local shops, the community centre or the churches.
There is a reasonably well maintained network of local footpaths giving pleasant walks towards Enderby
Thorpe Astley
and Kirby Muxloe.
(who was better known as a football league referee). The school takes pupils from Reception up to Year 5. The current headteacher is Edward McGovern. In 2003, Leicester Tigers
star Freddie Tuilagi
opened a new library building, one of the largest primary school libraries in the county. In 2006, the school achieved the National Healthy Schools Standard, for its work in educating pupils about healthy eating, exercise, emotional issues, and bullying. The school has also attained the Basic Skills and Investors in People
awards. In their May 2006 inspection, Ofsted assessed the school as Satisfactory, point 3 on a four point scale, saying "This is a satisfactory school, which has improved well since the last inspection, when it was judged to have serious weaknesses.". The Ofsted inspection in June 2009 assessed the school as 'Good' and identified a number of aspects which were outstanding.
Secondary education will typically continue at either Winstanley High School in Braunstone
, or South Charnwood High School in Markfield
.
Holmfield Primary School, on the eastern boundary of LFE, was closed permanently by Leicestershire County Council on 16 July 2010.
).There is no legal access for public vehicles to the motorway from within LFE (although some members of the public use the slip-road which is properly reserved for service station employees and emergency vehicles as a means of getting on and off the M1).
There were plans to widen the M1 motorway, which if given the go-ahead would have transformed the stretch of the M1 that bisects LFE from the current eight lanes to ten lanes. The current plans are to install a "traffic management" system instead, which will use the hard shoulder at busy times, controlled by overhead gantry signals. Many local residents have campaigned against both schemes. The works would result in the closure of Leicester Forest East service station, due to a planned flyover southbound link to the M69. However, even if the plans are approved, it is unlikely to happen before 2016.
Other Amenities:
Sports Clubs/Leisure:
Schools:
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, west of Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, straddling the M1 motorway
M1 motorway
The M1 is a north–south motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where it joins the A1 near Aberford. While the M1 is considered to be the first inter-urban motorway to be completed in the United Kingdom, the first road to be built to motorway standard in the country was the...
. It is part of the Blaby
Blaby (district)
Blaby is a local government district in Leicestershire, England.The district is named after the village of Blaby. It covers the civil parish of Blaby and 23 others. Among these are Cosby, Countesthorpe, Enderby, Huncote, Narborough , Sapcote, Stoney Stanton, and Wigston Parva...
district.
LFE is a popular location among commuters and young families. It was developed primarily between 1920 and 1985, seeing major developments constructed along the Hinckley Road (A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
) and to the south-east of the M1 throughout the 1930s. Large-scale housing developments took place in the 1960s, to the north-east and west of the M1 motorway. More recently a large housing project was constructed in the 1980s at the western edge of the settlement. The village takes its name from the ancient Leicester Forest
Leicester Forest
-Site and history:The forest occupied an area fourteen miles long and four miles wide between the River Soar and Rothley Brook, and covered 5,000 acres. It was described in Domesday Book as 'Hereswode'. Once owned by Hugh de Grandmesnil, ownership passed to successive Earls of Leicester...
.
Amenities
There are local shopping facilities at the eastern end of the community, including a newsagent, a post office, a bank, a small Co-op supermarket with a cash-dispenser, and a public library with free internet access; there are also numerous local shops along the Hinckley Road approaching the western end of the community, including a small Sainsbury's, a butcher, a hardware store, three hair salons and a petrol garage. There are two medical centres in LFE, one at the eastern end housing a general practitioners, a pharmacy and a dentist, and another on the western end (Warren Lane) with similar facilities.There are two pubs with hotels in LFE, both on the A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
. The Forest Park Inn is a recently-refurbished family motel with outdoor patio seating. The other is a much older establishment called The Red Cow. Both serve food and offer accommodation.
The Parish Hall is situated on King's Drive, by the playing field/park. A new playpark was installed in early 2009.
There are two places of Christian worship - St Andrews, an ecumenical church with Anglican and Methodist congregations. Also behind the church there is a local Cub & Scout Troop (92nd LFE). There is a meeting house for the Jehovahs witness community situated on Hinckley Road.
There is also the nearby Forest Chapel, where a playgroup and Day Care centre (forest chapel day care) also run from.
Transport
Transport links in Leicester Forest East are excellent.- There are busBusA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
services to LeicesterLeicesterLeicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, HinckleyHinckleyHinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 . It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council...
, NuneatonNuneatonNuneaton is the largest town in the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and in the English county of Warwickshire.Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Eliot, who was born on a farm on the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for...
and other local destinations. Bus services are operated by StagecoachStagecoach GroupStagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
and ArrivaArrivaArriva plc is a multinational public transport company owned by Deutsche Bahn and headquartered in Sunderland, United Kingdom. It has bus, coach, train, tram and waterbus operations in 12 countries across Europe, employs more than 47,500 people and services over 1.5 billion passenger journeys each...
. There is also a park and ridePark and ridePark and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
service from Meynells Gorse on the eastern edge of LFE to the city centre. The 13A bus route by Robinson's runs in the mornings into the western end of LFE and to Kirby MuxloeKirby MuxloeKirby Muxloe is a town and civil parish west of Leicester. Its proximity to the city causes it to form part of the Leicester Urban Area. The Leicester Forest East parish border runs along the Hinckley Road A47...
. - LFE does not currently have a railway station but provision has been made for one at Meynell's Gorse. The Leicester and Swannington RailwayLeicester and Swannington RailwayThe Leicester and Swannington Railway was one of England's first railways, being opened on 17 July 1832 to bring coal from collieries in west Leicestershire to Leicester.-Overview:...
that runs through the area is now freight-only but it carried passengers until 1964 and could do so again if Phase two of the proposed Ivanhoe Line were to go ahead. This would connect LFE to Ashby-de-la-ZouchAshby-de-la-ZouchAshby-de-la-Zouch, — Zouch being pronounced "Zoosh" — often shortened to Ashby, is a small market town and civil parish in North West Leicestershire, England, within the National Forest. It is twinned with Pithiviers in north-central France....
, CoalvilleCoalvilleCoalville is a town in North West Leicestershire, England, with a population estimated in 2003 to be almost 33,000. It is situated on the A511 trunk road between Leicester and Burton upon Trent, close to junction 22 of the M1 motorway where the A511 meets the A50 between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and...
, Burton upon TrentBurton upon TrentBurton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, England. Its associated adjective is "Burtonian"....
and Leicester railway stationLeicester railway stationLeicester railway station serves the City of Leicester in Leicestershire, England.As of late 2009 Leicester is a Penalty fare station, a valid ticket or Permit to travel must be shown when requested.-Background:...
. - Road links are excellent, with the A47A47 roadThe A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
bisecting the community - running to HinckleyHinckleyHinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 . It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council...
, BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
and LeicesterLeicesterLeicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. There is good access to the A46 roadA46 roadThe A46 is an A road in England. It starts east of Bath, Somerset and ends in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, but it does not form a continuous route. Large portions of the old road have been lost, bypassed, or replaced by motorway development...
where it bypasses LeicesterLeicesterLeicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, and from there to the M1 and M69M69 motorwayThe M69 is a lightly used dual three lane dual carriageway motorway in Leicestershire and Warwickshire, England connecting Leicester and Coventry. It opened in 1977.-History:...
. Congestion on the A47A47 roadThe A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
particularly in the mornings, for city bound traffic, is a major issue for commuters in LFE, and for those using this road. Equally, there is congestion on Ratby Lane in the late afternoons for traffic leaving the A46 and M1 wishing to join the A47A47 roadThe A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
from this direction.
Facilities for cyclists are improving, with cycle lanes being provided along the greater part of Hinckley Road during April 2009. The main routes to and from the city, and to major shopping areas are indirect and on busy roads. There are no secure cycle parking facilities at the local shops, the community centre or the churches.
There is a reasonably well maintained network of local footpaths giving pleasant walks towards Enderby
Enderby, Leicestershire
Enderby is a civil parish in the district of Blaby , in Leicestershire, England. It is situated on the south western outskirts of the city of Leicester and has a population of 5,648 at the time of the 2001 census....
Thorpe Astley
Thorpe Astley
Thorpe Astley is a suburban settlement on the southwestern edge of the city of Leicester, England. It is part of the civil parish of Braunstone Town, although a small part of the development, around Goodheart Way, extends into Leicester Forest East civil parish...
and Kirby Muxloe.
Schools
Stafford Leys Primary School opened in 1966 under the headship of Gordon HillGordon Hill (referee)
Gordon W. Hill is an English former football referee in the Football League. He originally comes from Bolton, Lancashire.-Early life:...
(who was better known as a football league referee). The school takes pupils from Reception up to Year 5. The current headteacher is Edward McGovern. In 2003, Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
star Freddie Tuilagi
Freddie Tuilagi
Fereti Tuilagi is a former Samoan rugby union Rugby player who previously played rugby league for Halifax Blue Sox and St. Helens. He played as a wing or centre and now is currently retired...
opened a new library building, one of the largest primary school libraries in the county. In 2006, the school achieved the National Healthy Schools Standard, for its work in educating pupils about healthy eating, exercise, emotional issues, and bullying. The school has also attained the Basic Skills and Investors in People
Investors in People
Launched in 1991 Investors in People is a business improvement tool administered by UK Commission for Employment and Skills and supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills ....
awards. In their May 2006 inspection, Ofsted assessed the school as Satisfactory, point 3 on a four point scale, saying "This is a satisfactory school, which has improved well since the last inspection, when it was judged to have serious weaknesses.". The Ofsted inspection in June 2009 assessed the school as 'Good' and identified a number of aspects which were outstanding.
Secondary education will typically continue at either Winstanley High School in Braunstone
Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields
Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields is an electoral ward and administrative division of the city of Leicester, England. It comprises the western Leicester suburbs of Braunstone Frith, Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields.-Geography:...
, or South Charnwood High School in Markfield
Markfield
Markfield is a commuter village sitting within both the National Forest and Charnwood Forest and in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire, England. The settlement dates back to at least the time of the Norman conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book under the name...
.
Holmfield Primary School, on the eastern boundary of LFE, was closed permanently by Leicestershire County Council on 16 July 2010.
Motorway Service Area
Most people know LFE for Leicester Forest East motorway service station on the M1 motorway, which opened on February 14th 1966 just over a year after the motorway reached Markfield . It was based on an Italian design used on the Autostrade which is very unusual in Britain. At the time of opening it was operated by the Ross Group and featured a Terence Conran designed restaurant with a waitress silver service restaurant. (ref Leicester Forest East servicesLeicester Forest East services
Leicester Forest East services is a motorway service station situated between junctions 21 and 21a of the M1 motorway, near Leicester, England.-History:...
).There is no legal access for public vehicles to the motorway from within LFE (although some members of the public use the slip-road which is properly reserved for service station employees and emergency vehicles as a means of getting on and off the M1).
There were plans to widen the M1 motorway, which if given the go-ahead would have transformed the stretch of the M1 that bisects LFE from the current eight lanes to ten lanes. The current plans are to install a "traffic management" system instead, which will use the hard shoulder at busy times, controlled by overhead gantry signals. Many local residents have campaigned against both schemes. The works would result in the closure of Leicester Forest East service station, due to a planned flyover southbound link to the M69. However, even if the plans are approved, it is unlikely to happen before 2016.
Places of interest
Shops:- Co-op (supermarket) - Park Drive/Hinckley Road
- Sainsbury's Local - Hinckley Road
- Fourbuoys Newsagents - Hinckley Road (Currently closed for trading)
- The Post Office - Holmfield Avenue West
- Alliance & LeicesterAlliance & LeicesterAlliance & Leicester was a former UK-based bank and PLC, which in later years operated as a trading name of Santander UK before being rebranded as Santander. Alliance & Leicester was legally acquired in May 2010 by Santander UK, and was fully incorporated by 2011...
Building Society - Holmfield Avenue West - GW Wragg Butchers shop - Hinckley Road
- Forest East DIY shop - Hinckley Road
- Hairdressers (Candy Heads, Beechwood Avenue/Hinckley Road Barnetts, charnwood drive)
- Car dealership - Hinckley Road/Ratby Lane
Other Amenities:
- Premier Travel InnPremier Travel InnPremier Inn is the UK's largest hotel brand, with over 40,500 rooms and more than 600 hotels. Originally opening under the "Travel Inn" brand name in 1987, it has been owned by Whitbread during its entire operation and was set up to compete with the Travelodge brand which was at the time owned by...
at the Forest Park Inn pub - Hinckley Road - Innkeeper's LodgeInnkeeper's LodgeInnkeeper's Lodge is a UK budget hotel chain that is owned by Mitchells & Butlers Group.-Overview:Innkeeper's Lodge have 91 locations across the UK. Some are new hotels, some pubs with rooms and others historic buildings....
at the Red Cow pub - Hinckley Road (actually Kirby Muxloe parish) - Forest House Surgery, Park Drive
- GP surgery (Forest House Medical Centre) - Warren Lane
- Pharmacy (Forest House Medical Centre) - Warren Lane
- Dentistry practice (near Forest House Medical Centre) - Warren Lane
- Opticians - Henry Smith & Hamylton - Park Drive
- Veterinary practice - Bell, Brown & Bentley - Hinckley Road/Elliott Drive
- Public library - Holmfield Avenue West
- St Andrew's Anglican/Methodist Church - http://www.standrewslfe.org.uk/
Sports Clubs/Leisure:
- Leicester Forest East RFC - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leicesterforest
- Forest East Tae Kwon-Do club - http://foresteast-tkd.co.uk/
- Leicester Forest East Tennis Club - http://www.lfe-tennis.co.uk/
Schools:
- Stafford Leys Primary School - http://www.staffordleys.leics.sch.uk/