City centre diversions - April 2026

We are still working to improve the city centre on Pinstone Street, Arundel Gate, Charles Street and Surrey Street.

Between Tuesday 21 April and 1 September 2026, we need to temporarily close a section of Pinstone Street and a section of Charles Street to vehicles.

This is so we can replace the paving and carriageway in these areas to make them more accessible for everyone.

What is changing?

Pinstone Street will be closed from Charles Street to Cross Burgess Street. We will reopen the section between Furnival Gate and Charles Street now that we have completed work in this area.

Traffic will be able to travel along Pinstone Street from Furnival Gate towards Charles Street, and will then need to turn right into Charles Street and right into Union Street. This is a reversal of the current traffic movements on Charles Street.

There will still be access for loading at Norfolk Street and St Paul’s Place from Charles Street too.

Charles Street will be closed from Arundel Gate to Union Street, but you will still be able to access the Q-Park and loading bays in this section.

Will I still be able to get to where I need to go?

The map below shows the diversion routes that will be in place. This will mean that some journeys will be longer to allow access to all roads, so please make sure you plan ahead if you’re travelling in these areas of the city centre.

Map showing diversion routes during the closure of Charles Street and Pinstone Street. Routes show access to Cambridge Street and Cross Burgess Street, and to Union StreetMap showing city centre diversion routes


What are the diversion routes?

Access to Cross Burgess Street and Cambridge Street

We will temporarily reverse the one-way system on Burgess Street so traffic can travel towards Cross Burgess Street. This will help drivers access Cross Burgess Street, Cambridge Street and the surrounding areas during the works.

You will be able to access Cross Burgess Street and Cambridge Street using the following route:

  • Hanover Way
  • Upper Hanover Way
  • Broad Lane
  • Townhead Street
  • Pinfold Street
  • Holly Street
  • Balm Green
  • Burgess Street

Access to Union Street, Norfolk Street and St Paul’s Place

You will still be able to access Union Street, Norfolk Street and St Paul’s Place using the following route:

  • Furnival Gate
  • Charter Row
  • Moore Street roundabout
  • Moore Street
  • Charter Row
  • Pinstone Street

If you need to access Howden House by car, you will need to use the route above.

You can also download a pdf of this map that you can zoom into.

Other important information

We will also soon be making permanent changes to the parking bays along Union Street, Union Lane and Charles Street.

We will convert all the pay and display parking bays to disabled parking bays. Waiting and loading restrictions in the area will still mean that drivers can pick up or drop off passengers.

There will still be loading bays available along Union Street, Union Lane and Charles Street.

Thank you for your patience while we make these improvements.