Council to stick with Spalding Relief Road route which would demolish nine homes

Lincolnshire County Council looks set to stick with a controversial route for the £100 million Spalding Relief Road which could see nine homes flattened.

The properties on Bourne Road would be demolished as part of plans for the central section of the project, if senior councillors back the proposal at a meeting in January.

Homeowners on the road said they were “shell shocked” at the news when the authority confirmed its preferred route back in October.

Now, scrutiny councillors will be asked to support the move at a highways meeting on Monday (December 9) before the plan goes before executive for final sign off in the New Year.

According to local authority figures, the route is estimated to cost the council £40,751,296.

Visuals for the road design

The council also estimates it would cost £4.2 million to purchase the nine properties, along with compensation and the cost of land for the entire middle section of the relief road.

Andy Gutherson, executive director of place at the county council, said the figures in the scrutiny report had been “refined” since the preferred route was confirmed.

“It’s important to remember that all of the property, land and compensation costs in the report going to the highways scrutiny committee and executive are estimates at this stage,” he said

“If a decision is taken forward by executive to proceed with the officer-recommended route, the county council would carry out valuations for each individual property affected.

The route recommended by Lincolnshire County Council for the central section of the Spalding Relief Road.

“This would then provide a more accurate figure, in terms of total cost.”

He confirmed that residents have also been informed of the updated report.

The proposed route was met with concern from residents, Catherine and Frank Roberts, who described being “absolutely shell shocked” by the news.

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

The couple said they spent £300,000 to build the mock Tudor house 20 years ago and have been through the “summer of hell” this year.

“We are paying for our own demise. By paying for our council tax we are paying to demolish our own houses,” said Catherine.

Among the other options considered include one through the Trojan Wood furniture company to the west of the site, which would cost £42 million, and a nearby allotment route at £50 million.

The £100 million 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.

Lincolnshire County Council hopes to begin work on the road in Spring 2020.

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