Six months of works on a £1.8m scheme to improve cycling and pedestrian facilities connections between Spalding and Pinchbeck are set to start next month.
The first phase of the Active Travel Scheme to improve cycling lanes and pedestrian areas on Pinchbeck Road between Kings Road and Enterprise Way, will start on Monday June 15.
Lincolnshire County Council say ‘a combination of road closures; temporary traffic signals; and a one-way system during select phases will be in place throughout the project, as needed’ though hasn’t released any details on these.
“The works will be carried out over multiple phases to avoid disruption across the whole of Pinchbeck Road,” a county council spokesman said. “Some of these phases will take place concurrently, with kerbing and footways taking place during the day and carriageway resurfacing taking place overnight.”
The authority also says it has worked with Cadent, National Grid, Openreach and Network Rail to arrange for those organisations to do scheduled work on the road alongside its own work.
Coun Ingrid Sheard, county councillor for Spalding Elloe, said: “I’m thrilled that these works will be starting imminently because I’m confident they will bring a very positive change to anyone living in, working in or travelling through Spalding and Pinchbeck.
“By enhancing the area’s walking and cycling network and improving safety, we expect to increase the number of people walking, wheeling, and cycling in the area. This, in turn, supports the health and wellbeing of Spalding and Pinchbeck residents, while also improving travel times.”
Work is to include the widening and resurfacing all of the existing footways and carriageway, updating signage, Installing new tactile paving at the Woolram Wygate junction, refurbishing the traffic signals at the Pinchbeck Road/West Elloe Avenue junction and replacing older street lanterns.
Coun David East, executive member for highways, said: “This scheme is all about better connecting Spalding and Pinchbeck by offering people more ways of getting where they want to go, all while preserving the distinct character of both places. This is being done by enhancing the area’s walking and cycling network, making them more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
“This is no easy feat. The team has spent months designing and planning these works, which will involve using 5,700 tonnes of road-building materials.
“While on-site, we’ll also be carrying out other essential works to the area. These include upgrading the West Elloe Avenue traffic signals to the latest technology and replacing fifteen older street lights along Pinchbeck Road with new.
“Phasing the works will allow the contractor to focus on completing a set area or two before moving onto the next. It will also mean far less strain on the local road network when compared to simply closing the whole of Pinchbeck Road for months.”
“These works will no doubt cause some short-term disruption, but I want to stress that we’ll be doing all we can to keep this to a minimum.
“In addition to keeping traffic flowing as best we can and maintaining access to the hospital at all times, we’ll also be working to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users can continue their day-to-day routines as usual during the scheme.
“This will be done by offering alternative provisions when needed and by working with local bus companies to ensure any service changes are communicated at least two weeks before they’re made.
“We’ll also be working with utility providers so that their works are carried out the same time as ours, which will prevent unnecessary disruption in the future.”
