Measures to enforce the pedestrianisation of Spalding town centre during the day will start to be implemented from this Monday (August 11).
A re-written Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) banning vehicles from Market Place and Hall Place between 10am to 4pm will come into effect when 28 new signs, three of which will be illuminated, are put up instead of the 17 currently in use.
Lincolnshire County Council’s release does not mention about the installation of any barriers, something that had previously been asked for by police officers who had said they didn’t have the resources to enforce it.
The authority confirmed on Wednesday that there would not be barriers.
The TRO has meant to be in place from Monday to Saturday for a number of years, but has largely been ignored in recent years due to it not being policed.
As chair of the Spalding Town Forum, Coun Rob Gibson instigated a survey carried out by South Holland District Council that said 86.4 per cent of residents didn’t want traffic in the town centre.
“In all honesty, it’s felt like this saga has gone on for too long for the people of Spalding and I am delighted that we can finally deliver some action and say that it’s nearly complete,” said Coun Gibson, who is now the deputy leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
“Once this last batch of installs are done, it’ll mean that we can enforce penalties on owners of vehicles that park or travel through the pedestrian area between 10am and 4pm. And that will be in place every day.
“Outside of those times businesses and utilities will be able to get in so that they can get deliveries dropped off or carry out maintenance where needed.
“There’s still quite a lot of work to do, but crews will all be working alongside each other from August 11 to get this done as quickly as possible.
“The teams will remove 17 signs, install 28 signs with three of those being illuminated, some marking lines that are in place are going to be removed and additional lines will be put in including No Loading bays, Disabled Parking bays and limited waiting areas.”
Once the signs and lines are in place, the new rules and restrictions will be enforced, and penalty charges will be issued for parking across; part of Broad Street, Market Place, Hall Place and part of Bridge Street and for loading in these areas daily between 10am and 4pm.
Extra parking provision has already been created in certain areas for blue badge holders visiting the area.
