Spalding’s population boom is the spark for a new transport plan to keep people and businesses on the move.
Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council are urging residents to have their say on existing and potential traffic and travel problems so a planning blueprint can be devised to solve them.
The authorities say Spalding has potential for “significant growth” over the coming years – and it will have an inevitable impact on traffic and travel.
District councillor Roger Gambba-Jones believes the most obvious priority is a western relief road for the town “to counter some of the issues that may be caused by increased level crossing down-times”.
He wants better traffic flows through town, which could be achieved by synchronisation of traffic lights and pedestrian-controlled lights.
Coun Gambba-Jones also wants the county council to again look at closing the railway station end of Swan Street because that would ease traffic flows without harming businesses based in Swan Street.
In an ideal world, he would like either “the train over the road or the road over the train” in Winsover Road.
But he said: “We know that’s something that’s highly unlikely ever to happen because the cost would be extraordinary for any bridge along there.”
Coun Gambba-Jones said Spalding’s population has grown by something like ten or 11 per cent in the last ten years so it is important to address travel problems now.
County councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transportation, said: “This transport strategy will help us to support and promote economic growth in Spalding.
“It’s important that local people tell us what their traffic and travel issues are so that we can properly address them.
“If you would like to put your views forward, please get in touch via our website or through our customer services team.”
To get involved visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/transportstrategies or call 01522 782070.