Leicester Forest East

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 late 1980s at the western edge of the settlement.

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 an off-license, hair salon and a petrol garage. There are two medical centres in LFE, one at the eastern end housing a general practitioners, a pharmacy and a dentists, and another on the western end (Warren Lane) with similar facilities.

There are two pubs with hotels in LFE, both on the A47. The Forest Park Inn is a recently-refurbished family pub with outdoor patio seating. The other is a much older establishment called The Red Cow. Both serve food and offer accommodation.

There is one main place 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 also the nearby Forest Chapel, where a playgroup and Day Care centre (forest chapel day care) also run from.The Forest Chapel congegation meet every Sunday between 10:30am and 12pm, with all age worship, Sunday school and ministry from Pastor Ian Lynam.

Transport

Transport links in Leicester Forest East are excellent.
*There are bus services to Leicester, Hinckley, Nuneaton and other local destinations. Bus services are operated by [http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/highways/public_transport/bus_train_services/bus_services/bus_routes_page_2.htm Stagecoach] and [http://www.arrivabus.co.uk Arriva] . There is also a park and ride 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 Muxloe.
*LFE does not have a railway station, although a railway does run through the area, carrying freight. Phase two of the Ivanhoe Line would have given and may still give LFE a railway station with trains running to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Coalville, Burton upon Trent and Leicester railway station.
*Road links are excellent, with the A47 bisecting the community - running to Hinckley, Birmingham and Leicester. There is good access to the A46 road where it bypasses Leicester, and from there to the M1 and M69.Facilities for cyclists are poor. 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 and Kirby Muxloe.

chools

There are two primary schools in LFE, [http://www.holmfield.leics.sch.uk/ Holmfield Primary School] and Stafford Leys Primary School. Secondary education will typically continue at either Winstanley High School in Braunstone, or South Charnwood High School in Markfield.

Motorway Service Area

Most people know LFE for Leicester Forest East motorway service station on the M1 motorway; however there is no legal access for public vehicles to the motorway from within LFE (although some members of the public frequently use the slip-road which is reserved for service station employees and emergency vehicles as a means of getting on and off the M1). There are currently plans to widen the M1 motorway, which if given the go-ahead will transform the stretch of the M1 that bisects LFE from the current eight lanes to ten lanes, which some local residents have campaigned against. The works would result in the closure of Leicester Forest East service station and a replacement bridge being constructed along the Hinckley Road where it crosses the M1. However, even if the plans are approved, it is unlikely to happen before 2010.

Places of Interest

Shops:
*Co-op (supermarket)
*Sainsbury's Local
*Fourbuoys Newsagents Now under new management
*The Post Office
*Alliance & Leicester bankIs in kirby muxloe not lfe
*Butcher shop
*DIY shop
*Hairdressers (Candy Heads, near the M1 Bridge on the A47)
*Car dealership
*'Booze Buster' off-license

Other Amenities:
*Premier Travel Inn at the Forest Park Inn pub
*Innkeeper's Lodge at the Red Cow pub
*GP surgery (Forest House Medical Centre)
*Pharmacy (Forest House Medical Centre)
*Dentistry practice (near Forest House Medical Centre)
*Opticians
*Veterinary practice
*Public library

Sports Clubs/Leisure:
*Leicester Forest East RFC - http://www.leicesterforestrfc.com/
*Fitness First gym (off Beggars Lane)

Schools:
*Holmfield Primary School - http://www.holmfield.leics.sch.uk/
*Stafford Leys Primary School - http://www.staffordleys.leics.sch.uk/