Controversial plans for Spalding town centre thrown out over lack of public support

Plans for proposed schemes that aimed to improve Spalding town centre for cyclists and pedestrians have been thrown out in their entirety due to a lack of public support.

As part of the government’s Active Travel fund, in March Lincolnshire County Council announced a consultation on plans to spend nearly £800,000 on measures aimed at boosting cycling in eight towns including in Spalding.

But following the consultation that concluded on May 16, only five schemes will now receive the money for what will be initially temporary measures. They are Grantham active travel zone, Lincoln Newark Road cycle lane protection, Louth active town centre, Skegness Lumley Road sustainable travel corridor and Sturton by Stow low traffic neighbourhood.

Lincolnshire County Council said there wasn’t enough public support for three other schemes including the proposals for Spalding listed below.

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transport at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We were clear when we launched this consultation that only those schemes with public support would get the go ahead. We’ve listened to what residents have told us and made amendments to schemes based on your feedback. We’ll start work as soon as we can to put in the changes that residents have told us they want to see.

“With some of the schemes not supported and so not going ahead, we’ve got some funding left it the pot. As such we’re looking to consult on more prospective schemes very shortly for Stamford, Sutton-on-Sea and Lincoln.

“Once again, these ideas have come from the public, and will only get the go ahead if they’re supported by other local residents.”

The following streets in Spalding were proposed to be affected:

·       Market Place – Allowing cycling at all times.

·       Double Street – Removal of on-street parking to create a protected cycle contraflow to Herring Lane.

·       Broad Street – Removal of on-street parking to create a cycle lane.

·       New Road – 20mph limit for the section between Broad Street and Swan Street with additional signage

·       Hall Road – Cycling permitted to Sheep Market.

·       Sheepmarket – Removal of on street parking to create additional pedestrian space.

·       The Crescent – made entirely one-way westbound with removal of on-street parking for a cycling contraflow.

In addition to this a 20mph limit would have beeen imposed across all of the areas above to improve active travel.