The speed limit around an accident hotspot is set to be lowered, just hours after another serious crash.
There have seen at least 20 accidents around the crossroads of Mill Drove North and Fulney Drove near Spalding in the last five years, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Jamie Waller.
The morning that councillors were due to discuss more restrictions, it was reported that a person had been taken to hospital after their vehicle left the road.
Ambulance crews and firefighters were called to the road at 7.30am on Monday (February 9), and police said that the victim suffered serious injuries.
Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee has backed plans to reduce the 60mph limit to 50mph along the main road, and for a short distance around the crossroads.
Coun Tom Sneath, who has seen the aftermath of accidents at the junction, said he wanted the measures to go further.
“The road is exceedingly narrow – it’s just about passable by two lorries if they’re going very slow,” he told the committee.
“I’ve turned up milliseconds after a car had pulled out and clipped another car. It’s a blind corner, so you can’t really see.
“You can end up with cars barrel-rolling down the road because they’re going 60mph.
“It wasn’t as bad until Rangell Gate was reduced to 40mph, and then everyone decided to take the shortcut.
“50mph is an improvement, but I would like the measures to go further with a stop sign, so motorists have to physically stop and look.”
Councillors were told that the main problem was vehicles on side roads overshooting into the main carriageway.
Improved road markings and signs had failed to make any difference.
Coun Charlotte Vernon described the statistics as a “huge number of accidents, and the council should do anything we can to reduce them.”
The crossroads have been designated an ‘accident cluster’ by the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, which asked for the changes.
If the change is signed off by the executive councillor for highways, the new speed limit would extend north to the junction of Weston Hills Road, and south to the A16.
Coun Anthony Casson has been calling for measures in and around the junction for a number of years.
“It’s about time,” he said. “I’d still like the county council to put back the stop signs at the junction.
“There’s no drivers giving way, they just fly straight over it.
“Reducing the speed limit will help but more can be done and I won’t give up on it.”
