This major project was funded by De Montfort University and managed by Leicester City Council.
As part of DMU's ongoing programme of campus improvements, Mill Lane, which forms a central spine along their main campus, was transformed into a striking public pathway. It features rain gardens, which capture excess rainwater to feed trees and plants, seating areas, flower beds and the same stone which was used to give Cathedral Square a complete makeover before the burial of King Richard III.
Danaher & Walsh was awarded the project via a competitive tender process. The works were carried out in phases in a live campus environment and with interfaces to other works.
Collaborative working with stakeholders helped to minimise the impact on campus life. Pedestrian management was a key consideration, owing to the high volume of people populating the area.
The scheme took the initial idea of a wandering route through the university to stop cyclists from riding through the area at high speed whilst still allowing access for emergency vehicles and including a contrast visibility strip for disabled use.
The concept of the wandering route was developed along the theme of a river from source to estuary, as the adjacent Vijay Patel Building scheme opened up the riverside to the public. Consultation took place around the idea of a meandering route with green spaces, resulting in the final design.
Not only is this scheme aesthetically pleasing in its own right, it has lifted the entire area. New focus has been placed on attractive but previously overlooked buildings.
The scheme has linked the campus to the Soar riverside, where it previously seemed separated.
Mill Lane is no longer just a road, it is a focal point. It is a glue that binds together previously disparate elements of the DMU campus. Mill Lane is now a swathe of bright
green, punctuated by plant beds and budding trees. It forms spacious grounds outside the award-winning Vijay Patel Building which houses DMU's art and design departments.
The green areas are studded with benches and creative seating, which is already drawing hundreds of students to enjoy their lunch, study outdoors, read, chat and relax.
Song lyrics etched onto bookends at either end of the scheme inject an element of playfulness and fun. Custom decorative paving welcomes people to Mill Lane and to De Montfort University.
An emphasis was placed on using durable, high-quality materials to bring to life the striking contemporary design. High quality natural stone was used throughout the scheme for the bookends and paving setts.
The natural stone is punctuated by golden gravel pathways, tying-in with numerous other public realm schemes throughout Leicester.
Quality street furniture used throughout the scheme adds to the scheme's functionality and aesthetic. A tasteful and practical lighting design combines contemporary LED lighting columns with ground-recessed luminaires.
The city of Leicester’s principal urban area has a high risk of surface water flooding, so an effort is being made to ensure that all public works projects incorporate sustainable drainage. SuDS was a key feature of the design for this scheme, which incorporates a series of rain gardens. Surface water enters the gardens through gaps between edgings,
percolating through granular materials. The water is retained and released into
the ground slowly.
