Residents facing the demolition of their homes to make way for a new relief road have said a potential 10-year-wait implies Lincolnshire County Council thinks they “will be dead” before it starts.
Councillor Richard Davies confirmed the executive were due to consider final recommendations in January.
He added it “could potentially be a decade or more before we start building this section of the relief road”.
The route recommended by Lincolnshire County Council for the central section of the Spalding Relief Road.
However, that failed to reassure Catherine Roberts and husband Frank, whose “forever home” on Bourne Road is one of those facing demolition.
The couple, who spent £300,000 to build their mock Tudor property 20 years ago and thousands more since, say they are “absolutely shell shocked” by the news – which comes after a “summer from hell”.
“Saying it could be 10 years implies they think we’ll be dead before they can do it,” said Catherine.
“We can’t sit in our property for 10 years waiting for the day a letter saying your house is going to be taken away from you.”
She added there were further fears that if residents did decide to move prior to the build they would get even less money.
In its appraisal, the council has suggested three options to go before committee on Monday, December 9 including a route through nearby allotments (£50 million), the “central” route through Bourne Road (£39 million) and one through the Trojan Wood furniture company to the west (£45 million).
Visuals for the road design
It says bulldozing the homes would cost them £1.25 million, while the Trojan Wood site would result in a compulsory purchase order of £4.5 million.
However, Catherine and other campaigners from the Spalding Against Relief Road campaign have queried the figures – which split to £250,000 for each of the five houses, or £189,000 if all nine were affected.
They have called for the council to reveal its working out.
In the meantime, Catherine says she does not know at the moment where to go.
“We’re being made out to be trouble makers, and we’re paying for it,” she said.
Some of the houses the route could go through. Photo: Daniel Jaines
If she had to move, she said she may leave the area, because she did not want to travel the road where her house had sat, but would not leave South Holland.
“We are paying for our own demise. By paying for our council tax we are paying to demolish our own houses,” she warned.
“I appreciate the council has a duty to find a cost-effective route, but there’s also a cost to human lives and the effect it’s going have on people.
“If the council treat us like this, they can treat anybody the same.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.