Lutterworth, Leicestershire

19 October 2007

THIS traditional market town, situated in the south Leicestershire countryside, has a population of approximately 9,000 and is situated at the hub of Britain's motorway network adjacent to the M1 and close to the M6.

It is famed for being the workplace of John Wycliffe, who led efforts to make a translation of the bible into English while he was Rector of Lutterworth, and Sir Frank Whittle, who invented the jet engine at the Ladywood workshop, off Leicester Road.

A replica jet plane was placed on the southern bypass roundabout in 2003 to commemorate the late pioneering engineer and stands as a focal point at the entrance to Lutterworth.
Neighbouring the town to the west is the ever-expanding industrial estate Magna Park which is one of the largest distribution centres in Europe and a major employer in the area.

However, it has also led to one of the most prevalent problems facing Lutterworth - namely, the traffic congestion and pollution problem caused by an estimated 2,500 lorries travelling through the town centre everyday.

Plans for a Western Relief Road to divert the HGVs were drawn up over 20 years ago and two-thirds of the ring road have since been built. Proposals to complete it have proved contentious among residents as housing developments have since been built along the suggested route.

For more information about Lutterworth visit www.lutterworthobserver.co.uk

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