It is good to see suggestions for improving Spalding town centre but before these ideas are fulfilled it would seem one vital factor still goes un-noted.
Access to the current retail units for deliveries to be made is still an issue.
Very few of the shops in the town centre have rear delivery access, so lorries and vans have to come in to the centre to deliver goods.
Also, there are three dispensing chemists in the town centre (all without adequate rear access) who offer home deliveries of medication. Their drivers have to come in to the town centre to load their goods (as a matter of security), risking traffic warden or police intervention, but they have nowhere else to go.
Whilst the concept of pedestrian only areas in town centres is great, it can only be achieved if the infrastructure is in place to address the above issues.
Traffic flow is another problem, especially the Winsover Road side of town, where traffic jams are frequent sights with the junctions at St Thomas Road and at the traffic lights at Kings Road/Station Street.
Alternative, easily accessible parking needs to be made available to encourage both local shoppers and visitors from further afield to venture in to the town.
Sort these issues out and then Spalding could thrive again.
Graham Cupper
via email
