Charnwood (ward)
52°39′00″N 1°05′46″W / 52.650°N 1.096°W
| Charnwood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Population | 13,291 (2011) |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE5 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
Charnwood was an electoral ward and administrative division of the city of Leicester, England. The population of the ward at the 2011 census was 13,291.[1] It comprised the northern Leicester suburb of Northfields and its Tailby and Morton ex-council estates.
Geography
Charnwood was bounded by the wards of Belgrave to the north-west, Rushey Mead to the north, Humberstone & Hamilton to the east, Coleman to the south, Spinney Hills to the south-west and Latimer to the west.[2]
To the west, the Midland Main Line separated it from Belgrave, and to the south the Uppingham Road separates it from Spinney Hills and North Evington. To the east it bordered Humberstone, and to the north borders the Troon Way industrial estate.
History
Northfields was named for one of three open fields that once nearly surrounded Leicester. The field was enclosed in 1764 and then used as residential building land 'in good time for the population increase' of the industrial revolution, meaning that Leicester was largely spared the overcrowding problems typical of industrialising towns of that time.[3]
The area was bombed in 1940 causing considerable damage. Many structures were destroyed and 4 people were killed.
Northfields had three football teams dating from 1956. These were Northfield Town, Northfield United and the Northfield reserves.
Northfields has also produced a few notable athletes, including striker for the Olympic GB women’s football squad Rachel Williams and professional boxer Rendall Munroe.
The Charnwood ward, which was represented on Leicester City Council and covered the area, was abolished in 2015 with most of the area now being part of the Troon ward.
Demographics
Northfields has had a bad reputation for criminal activities. Despite being only 3 small estates it was responsible for 30% of the crime rate within the Leicester area. In response The Northfields Project was set up in order to help to combat crime and make Northfields a safer place to live. The scheme improved areas such as security fencing, lighting and public recreational spaces.
Transport
The number 21 bus operated by First Leicester travels through the area before continuing on into the city centre. Part of the route of the number 22, also operated by First, is close to the area in neighbouring Rushey Mead.
References
- ^ "City of Leicester Ward population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Leicester City Council. "Ward Maps". Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ Hoskins, W.G., 'The Making of the English Landscape' (1955)