New hope for homes under threat in Spalding Western Relief Road plan

Residents says they “hope the homes of Bourne Road are saved from the bulldozers and common sense prevails” following a decision by Lincolnshire County Council to look at a fresh set of options for the route of the £100 million Spalding Western Relief Road.

The council revealed the move after a survey on the options for the central section saw almost 40% of respondants picking either the western (39%) or alternative (37%) options. Just 24% of respondents chose the eastern alignment for the road.

Local people have been protesting against the Spalding Western Relief Road’s current two route options after finding out that their houses may have to be demolished as part of it.

The proposed £100 million Spalding Relief Road. Picture: Lincolnshire County Council.

A meeting at Pode Hole in February saw more than 150 people packed into Bromley Hall on Bourne Road. Following that, the Spalding Pinchbeck Against Relief Road (SPARR) was formed.

The council at the time was forced to apologise for not making all residents aware of the plans in the early stages.

Catherine Roberts, a leading member of SPARR who has previously said her life was in limbo following the news, said: “It is pleasing to hear that LCC are reconsidering previous options and reassessing new routes.

“We can only hope the homes of Bourne road are saved from the bulldozers and common sense prevails.

“We genuinely believe the residents who completed the questionnaires selecting a coloured route did not realise under that the coloured line was a group of family homes each with their own reasons why they will not  be evicted from the property they have worked and saved to own.”

Catherine and Frank Roberts outside their forever home on Bourne Road. Photo: Daniel Jaines

The project will provide a new route around the west side of the town, linking Spalding Common in the south to Spalding Road/Pinchbeck Road in the north.

The Northern and Southern Central sections were recently given permission to be built by South Holland District Council.

Announcing the new study, Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We have listened to the views of residents and are now moving ahead with a further study that will look at a number of options for the road’s central section. This will include the previous allotments route and a route further to the west.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at the county council, addresses residents affected by the Spalding Relief Road at a meeting at Bromley Hall in Pode Hole, near Spalding. Picture: Daniel Jaines.

“Once the study is complete, we’ll use the information in it, along with the feedback we’ve received over recent months, to make an informed and fair decision about where the new road will go.”

The study is expected to take four months to complete and a decision is expected to be made in the summer.

Ward member Councillor Angela Newton said she was “really pleased” the council is taking notice of the survey.

Lincolnshire County Councillor Angela Newton. Photo: Daniel Jaines

“There are always going to be winners and losers and nobody wants to see anybody’s house demolished, or see a road in anybody’s back garden.

“I think they need to have a look in a more realistic and sensible way and take account of how it can be built because it’s going to be there for a long time so it causes the least inconvenience to residents.”

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.