2020 has been a tumultuous year. What we expected to be another 12 months of droning on about Brexit turned out to be much worse.
When leavers celebrated Brexit Day in Lincolnshire on January 31, all we knew about COVID-19 was a brief offer of support and guidance from the University of Lincoln to students and staff with connections to China and Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated.
Coronavirus had officially arrived in Lincolnshire by March 6 as government confirmed “up to four” people had tested positive for COVID.
The government’s coronavirus dashboard several months later says there had been two confirmed on March 3 — but the next one isn’t listed until March 9.
From there began the slow decline into a country ruled by restrictions as numbers rose, new rules were brought in and, eventually, the virus brought further disruption.
Three coronavirus pods at Lincoln County Hospital. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite
Health bosses at the time tried to reassure people that the risk to the general public “remains low” and that there was “no reason to panic”.
Government bosses also moved to reassure the public, including saying that schools would not close.
An innocent public, not quite sure what was true or not, began stockpiling shopping including loo rolls and food and supermarkets were forced to bring in limits on purchases.
Not everyone was bothered, however, as thousands of visitors flocked to Skegness despite advice from council and health bosses urging people to socially distance and government guidance not to make non-essential travels.
Thousands flocked to Skegness despite travel warnings. | Photo: Cygnet House Dental Studio
On March 20, the Prime Minister announced a shutdown of all bars, pubs, clubs, cinemas and leisure facilities in the UK, then just days later, on March 22 he closed all non-essential shops, banned gatherings of more than two people and told people to stay home.
But it also sparked a number of positive stories as communities pulled together to push through all the struggles
The regular ‘clap for carers’ began in early April, and was observed in large numbers on Thursdays at 8pm to applaud all essential workers who were on the frontline during the virus’ peak.
It wasn’t just the cathedral that sported colours to support key workers, Peter Spaczynski became a local celebrity for his ‘rainbow house’ on Bunkers Hill in Lincoln.
As well as Peter, Kate Eilidh and her children decorated their home, colouring the bricks in chalk to make a rainbow of their own.
People in Lincolnshire have also been coming up with innovative ways to put a smile on everyone’s faces throughout COVID-19 lockdown, including bus driver Adam Wales and his entertaining TikTok videos.
People found new ways to raise morale.
Organisations and individual around the county began making protective equipment such as 3D-printed face shields, masks and scrubs
For example, For The Love Of Scrubs, a Lincoln-based group, encouraged the local community to use household fabrics and create protective scrubs for frontline NHS staff.
Local distilleries tackled the hand sanitiser shortage in March, making their own from the high volumes of alcohol they produce.
It wasn’t all plain sailing as plans to release sky lanterns for the NHS were labelled “total madness”.
It was almost easy to forget the troubles of the pandemic as people began sharing their joy.
However, the situation continued to rumble in the background with numbers rising throughout the month.
‘Rainbow house’ with the completed thank you message for key workers. Photo: Steve Smailes
In order to help hospitals cope with the pressures, more than £342 million of debt was written off from United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Trust’s books by government.
ULHT’s chief executive Andrew Morgan spoke to staff through a live video while sat in one of the trust’s store rooms in order to demonstrate how much PPE stock the hospitals had.
It was especially tough for police at times as cabin fever began to set in, with one night shift reporting that almost every officer on duty was reportedly involved in violent or abusive situations.
Lincolnshire’s multiple testing sites, built in the run-up to lockdown, were also scrapped for a much larger one based at the Lincolnshire Showground. Later in the year more sites would also be built as testing became more focused.
Councils also reported starting to see the impact on their revenue streams as income from car parking, licensing and planning took massive hits.
May began with a stark reminder of the dangers NHS workers put themselves in when dealing with pandemics as tribute was paid to Anujkumar Kuttikkottu Pavithran, who tragically died aged 44 on Monday, April 27 after working with the NHS for nine years.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during one of the press briefings.
Residents excited about the prospect of lockdown restrictions being lifted – particularly the most vulnerable – were also urged to “temper their expectations”.
On Sunday, May 10, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new coronavirus rules which would start easing lockdown in England from the following Wednesday.
A 50-page blueprint was launched which outlined what you could and couldn’t do — but many said it was confusing.
The government’s furlough scheme was also extended by another four months.
Shortly after, Lincolnshire began its phased return to work and school, though businesses argued little had changed.
A deeper impact of coronavirus also revealed itself as May’s employment figures showed more than 14,000 had signed up for Universal Credit since the start of the pandemic.
Care homes in Lincolnshire were also given £10.5 million in extra coronavirus cash in a bid to support residents and staff, as many transmissions and deaths were recorded in that sector.
The end of the first lockdown was a staged event, but eventually as rules began to relax, traffic levels began to return to pre-lockdown levels and businesses began to trade over the next few weeks.
Lincoln City themed scrubs were created for healthcare workers at Lincoln County Hospital. Photo: Fiona Robertson
Contact tracing was also set to begin in a bid to get a hold on tramissions and get people who may have been in contact with infected residents to self-isolate.
However, national debate continued to stir the waters, including the actions of the then-Prime Minister’s chief advisor Dominic Cummings was forced to defend a 260-mile drive in March from his home to County Durham with his ill child and wife.
Lincolnshire’s political leaders rallied around the advisor, however, public health officials feared his actions had damaged the core messages that the government were trying hard to promote.
Shortly after, Lincoln’s MP Karl McCartney was forced to defend his travel advice to a constituent too.
As the sun shined on Lincoln, people remained vigilant in lockdown. Photo: Steve McSmailes
Elsewhere Lincolnshire’s council leaders fell out over a letter sent by county council leader Martin Hill and his counterparts in North and North East Lincolnshire calling for talks on local government reorganisation to restart.
The news came as the same local leaders began to take on responsibility for the pandemic response in the county from emergency service leaders.
The debates from May continued into June as shops gradually re-opened one-by-one. Some taking longer than others as staff and customers adjusted to the “new normal”.
Health bosses were confident plans were in place for the reopening of the county’s economy as shops and markets began welcoming customers again.
Parents, initially continued to be reluctant about sending their children back to the classroom as some schools reported just a third of students returning.
Queues at Primark as restrictions started to be lifted. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The big talking point at the beginning of June, however, was the series of protests around the country, including by Extinction Rebellion and the Black Lives Matter organisations.
Lincoln held its own Black Lives Matter protest which health officials supported going ahead, but urged caution over. No infection spikes were recorded after the event.
However, the large gatherings prompted sharp responses from those keen on complying with social distancing and COVID-19 rules with many quick to jump to criticism of those in attendance.
The first BLM protest in Lincoln in June 2020. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As health services began reintroducing services, there was a big re-jig across the county’s hospitals, including Grantham Hospital being turned into a “green” COVID-free site.
Other moves saw certain procedures transferred between hospitals in order to better protect patients.
With cases decreasing, and the county going weeks without deaths at times, June looked like things would be getting better.
The month started off quietly in terms of coronavirus, with numbers staying low as people slowly returned to the high street, including the local pubs and restaurants.
The government announced its new Eat Out to Help Out deal and brought in new street cafe rules as it looked to help boost business in the aftermath of the lockdown.
In a bid to control public health as cases continued to surge elsewhere in England, the government also brought in new rules to make face coverings mandatory in many — later most — indoor spaces.
Walkabout’s guidance ahead of its reopening on July 4. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
July saw the first Lincolnshire business lose its alcohol licence over a breach of coronavirus rules.
Some of the first business casualties also began to appear, including a gym in Grantham, which was liquidated.
Despite all of that, however, July was the month with the fewest cases and deaths since the pandemic began. Rising figures elsewhere though meant some restrictions, due to be lifted on August 1, were postponed.
AUGUST
August also began as a fairly quiet month as lockdown entered week 20, with councils preparing for applications of new pavement seating extensions.
But as Lincolnshire’s cases settled, something was looming across the border. Neighbours Newark had seen cases triple in their area, signalling the start of a sharp rise across the Nottinghamshire region.
The Newark outbreak, however, continued to affect Lincolnshire, at one point seeing Lincoln put on a COVID-19 “red list” due to commuters who had been affected.
As the situation continued to look dodgy, Boston Marathon would not be the only event to announce its cancellation in the coming weeks.
Case numbers at the end of August were low and Lincolnshire managed to make it without any hospital deaths for the entire month.
SEPTEMBER
September saw a government review cut more than 70 deaths off the statistics in Greater Lincolnshire with more than 5,000 deaths removed nationally as they focussed only on those who died within 28 days of a positive test.
Meanwhile hospitals, having started to reintroduce services, reported a reduced backlog of cancer treatments, but had seen waiting lists triple.
The month was not without some major headaches for both health bosses and residents, as new problems with booking tests at the Lincolnshire Showground and across the national network surfaced.
There was also a very quick onset of schools reporting COVID cases after youngsters returned and the debate over whether they should be open or not would continue until the end of the year.
The testing centre on Beevor Street in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It was, however, confirmed that the University of Lincoln would be getting its own testing centre for when students returned in October as the start of term was pushed back a month.
As cases continued to rise, more events were cancelled including Lincoln’s South Common funfair which was shut down by the City of Lincoln Council.
On September 9, however, the rules were changed again — bringing in a new single measure to replace the existing bans on more than 30 peoplemeeting and the rule of two households. It became known as the “rule of six” — and wouldn’t last long.
On September 21, more new rules were announced, with compulsory face masks everywhere and a pub and restaurants 10pm curfew brought in.
Further limits were also brought in on how many people could meet or attend certain events and tighter penalties including £10,000 mega fines were brought in.
However, despite reassurances and nearly nine months of experience at this point, shoppers began stockpiling again as the expectations of a second lockdown increased.
By the end of the month, there had been a 400% spike in COVID-19 cases in September compared to the previous month and infection rates across Greater Lincolnshire had doubled.
Health bosses, despite concerns over the numbers, said the area was unlikely to see any local lockdowns before wider national restrictions were brought in — and they were right, but it would be another month before they were proven to do so.
OCTOBER
October started with some hiccups as it was revealed an elderly patient was stopped from entering Grantham Hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre and forced to defecate outside, in public view.
As numbers spiked, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed a new three tier “alert system” to tackle coronavirus on Monday, but rejected a second national lockdown.
A day later, it was confirmed, Lincolnshire would be put on the lowest tier level, only slightly confusingly called the “medium” tier. It would be joined by both North and North East Lincolnshire to begin with.
The confusing message some people using the NHS COVID-19 app were seeing. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The new alert system caused confusion when it sent out phantom notifications telling people they were in COVID levels they weren’t — but bosses quickly moved to reassure the population the initial recommendation of “medium” was correct.
The national debate centred around a mounting argument for a circuit break lockdown, but the Prime Minister continued to resist the notion.
Lincolnshire bosses argued it would not follow its Greater Lincolnshire counter parts.
But then, on October 31, a press conference was called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who confirmed the whole country would go into a second month-long national lockdown throughout November.
People were panic buying toilet roll again. | Photo: Ruth Hollingsworth
There was however a growing complacency to the rules and many up and down the country chose to have one last blow-out — and that was no different in Lincolnshire.
However, as other areas of the UK began to show signs of slowing, the numbers in the Greater Lincolnshire region continued to rocket with several record days for cases and deaths.
November also saw the first Lincolnshire MP isolating following a meeting with the Prime Minister and another MP who later tested positive for coronavirus.
In some pre-lockdown news, however, the government chose this moment to begin discussing its plans for Christmas, seeing restrictions lifted partially to allow three households to meet in an exclusive bubble for up to five days between December 23-27.
The night before the second lockdown. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new rules meant all shops can open, but pubs and restaurants were only allowed to stay open for takeaway services, similarly to now.
Schools, universities and places of worship will stay open, though may be subject to household bubbles.
Unlike the previous tier 3 rules, gyms would be able to open and people were allowed to take part in outdoor sports such as golf, tennis and Sunday football.
The rule of six continued to apply outdoors but there was to be no mixing of households.
Local leaders said they were “disappointed” and “frankly devastated” that Greater Lincolnshire will be placed into the toughest restrictions when it comes out of lockdown on December 2.
Tier 3 infection areas, including Greater Lincolnshire, would be better placed to go into more relaxed restrictions if they accept mass testing support, health secretary Matt Hancock said.
The news dashed many hopes of a Christmas pick-me-up and saw a number of events around the county cancelled, including the Lincoln Castle Illuminated event.
However, there was more good news to come as some towns around the county, including Skegness, confirmed they would be getting additional testing centres.
Elsewhere, students in Lincoln were preparing to go home as mass testing began ahead of the end of term.
They were to be sorely disappointed when the next review took place on December 16 and Lincolnshire was kept in tier 3 with the majority of the country.
The decision caused consternation for some council leaders, particularly those in districts with the lowest infection rates.
South Holland leader Gary Porter felt he had failed his district over the COVID restrictions. He said the area should be in a lower tier as many residents travelled to Peterborough which was under laxer rules.
However, his argument would no longer hold water following the review when Peterborough was then put into the toughest restrictions days later.
South Holland District Council leader, Lord Gary Porter.
The country has been given an early Christmas gift though as the Pfizer vaccine was given the go ahead and rolled out to hospitals, including Lincolnshire’s, and then GPs.
Infection rate numbers also began to fall — though remain well above the UK average.
Midway through the month, it was revealed that nearly a third of patients in Lincolnshire’s hospitals acquired coronavirus while being treated.
December also saw a new variant of the coronavirus confirmed in the UK, with more than 1,000 cases across 60 local authorities.
Lincolnshire’s cases up to December 20.
On December 16, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the Christmas rules would stay but said it was everyone’s personal responsibility to keep numbers down as the mutation was 70% more infectious, though not more dangerous.
However, it wasn’t to be as just three days later, Mr Johnson U-turned on his words, bringing the Christmas break down to just the big day itself, and putting several areas with high rates into a new, tougher tier 4 lockdown.
Over Christmas, the county’s infection rates have continued to drop down the table, however, this is mainly because rates elsewhere in the UK have increased dramatically.
Nationally, the number of daily cases confirmed has broken records with 53,000 cases on Tuesday as the new variant sweeps across England.
The government announced on Monday that school children preparing for exams, or of primary school age, will return to class next week but not all school age children will go back.
Health services have reported being under pressure due to increased patient numbers. With ambulance services reporting almost as many calls on Boxing Day as at the height of the first wave.
In good news, however, the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine has been authorised by UK regulators.
And now, to the future
Economy chiefs say there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that business will return next year, but are predicting a rough start to the year.
Health bosses are predicting a “bleak midwinter” ahead and have reiterated warnings to behave over Chrstmas as deaths spike.
And council bosses are hoping that the numbers will come down enough to escape the Hotel California that is tier three.
But with the new COVID mutation spreading like wildfire across the country, the Prime Minister could announce an even higher tier of lockdown, or shut down the whole country again by the new year.
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Jo Tindley secured a solo victory at the National Circuit Championships in Lincoln on Friday tonight, while Ethan Hayter claimed his second title in as many days following Thursday’s victory in the time-trial.
Tindley (Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen) led from the start and looked assured throughout, with her lead never falling below 20 seconds, while the chasing bunch behind were unable to effectively work together to claw back the deficit.
Having previously worked behind the bar in the pub overlooking the finish line, the hometown rider knew every twist and turn of the technical circuit, and crossed the line arms aloft 1:12 ahead of Abi Smith (Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank) in second, while Corinne Side secured a second podium place for Lincoln-based team Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen.
Despite a collision after the finish line both riders dusted themselves off to collect their first senior national medals on the road.
Jo Tindley led from the start and looked assured throughout.
Speaking after the race, Jo Tindley said: “If you’re going to do it, you want to do it in front of a home crowd, don’t you? There was quite a lot of drive that kept me going, but it’s not sunk in just yet.
“There are some really good sprinters in the group, and having done some other races this year I knew I couldn’t just handle them, so for me it was either whittling it down and making one big move, or as it happened really early it just lined out and there’s not a lot of rest on this circuit, so I knew I could potentially get away.
“When the gap happened quite early I had to commit to it, I had no other option.
“I used to work at the pub just here so I know the finish line very well from looking out of the window at it. You always dream it – it’s pretty special.”
In a frenetically-paced men’s race a leading bunch of Hayter (Team Ineos Grenadiers), Harry Tanfield (Team Qhubeka Nexthash), Lewis Askey (Equipe Cycliste Continentale Groupama-FDJ), Charlie Tanfield (Canyon DHB Sungod) and Charles Page (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) quickly whittled down the field as riders were lapped and removed from the race.
There was nothing to split the quintet as the bell rang for the final lap and it was Askey who attacked first, but the 20-year-old was unable to get away. As the sprint opened up, Harry Tanfield looked to be the early favourite, but Hayter delivered when it mattered most once more to add another red, white and blue jersey to his collection.
With all eyes now on the prospect of an unprecedented treble on Sunday, Hayter said:
“I managed to get myself straight to the front and I pretty much stayed out of trouble. I knew all these guys were super strong, both Tanfields are strong crit riders, and Lewis and Charles as well. I just tried to not do too much and stay close to the bunch so that the guys would keep working and not attack themselves.
Speaking about the buoyant Lincoln crowd, Hayter added:
“I was loving it to be honest. There were a lot of people shouting my name which was quite strange. It was lined the whole way around, and it’s almost like a go-kart track going around some of the corners, so it’s just really enjoyable.
“I think there’s a bit of pressure on [Sunday] now. It’s not going to be easy but we’ll see what we can do.”
More frustrated drivers have come forward with their stories of bogus fines at a Lincoln retail park — and when The Lincolnite asked the parking warden to explain the situation, he said he was “not allowed to comment”.
The Lincolnite has reported about the issues at Tritton Road Retail Park for over six years, and dodgy activity was previously uncovered, such as rule changes without warning and attendants encouraged to ‘bend the rules’ for bonuses at the car park operated by UK Parking Control (UKPC) Ltd.
We went back to the car park on Friday and tried to speak with the parking attendant directly, so UKPC — who ignored all media requests — could present their side of the story, but he said he was “not allowed” to speak to us.
Two people recently came forward after receiving parking fines which they claim are bogus. This prompted more frustrated shoppers to contact The Lincolnite to share their experiences – if you are fined, it is advised not to automatically pay it straight away – see useful advice here from MoneySavingExpert.
Jo Chambers went out shopping to Homesense with her partner on July 18 for her new home in Waddington Heath. However, when they returned to her car they were confronted by a ticket stating “vehicle owner/driver left the site”.
Jo Chambers appealed her fine and it was later rescinded.
Jo’s Home Sense receipt and proof of parking, and the parking charge.
After appealing the fine, it was rescinded and Jo received a letter of apology, but she still wanted to raise awareness to others about the issue.
The letter from UKPC’s Appeals Department states: “We understand your frustration and appreciate the inconvenience this has caused you. It is not our intention to cause undue worry and frustration when enforcing our clients’ terms and conditions of parking.
“We have investigated your appeal based on the information submitted and whilst we feel that the parking charge was correctly issued and that we were following the guidelines and enforcement controls agreed with our client, we have decided in this instance to cancel the parking charge as a gesture of goodwill.”
Jo told The Lincolnite: “The letter of apology was a joke, stating the employee was in his every right to issue the fine, but as a gesture of goodwill they would rescind the fine, not taking any liability whatsoever.
“Surely the shops and council should confront this scam. We will not park and shop there unless we are on foot now, and if we do we take photos as evidence, which we shouldn’t need to.
“It’s the older vulnerable generation that I’m more concerned about as they are likely to panic and just pay it.”
Another driver is currently trying to appeal his fine.
Another driver, who wished to remain anonymous, received a ticket on September 29, stating “vehicle owner/driver left the site,” but he said: “I parked my car and did some browsing in Halfords, following by some shopping in Home Bargains, and then came (back) to a ticket on my window.
“I have emailed them twice with proof of what I did that day and got nothing back. It’s been over two weeks so I paid the £60 rather than the £100, with a follow-up email about it, but still have nothing back.”
After receiving a ticket on October 5 stating “not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space”, another driver said: “It had no markings saying I couldn’t park there or no double yellow lines.”
Car park needs to be bigger, says retailer
The Lincolnite tried to get the perspective of retailers in the area.
Staff at ScS said they get customers in every now and again with a car parking issue and try to support them where they can.
The staff said: “There needs to be extra car parking in the area, as well as in the retail park, or the flexibility to go off site. The wardens are doing a good job.
“People shouldn’t be going off site, but ultimately this car park isn’t big enough for the retailers and customers.”
There was nobody available to provide a comment at Homesense, Halfords, Pets at Home, Carpet Right, Oak Furnitureland or Smyths Toys.
A parking charge notice was placed on the vehicle within 11 minutes of the driver being in Starbucks. | Photo: The Lincolnite
UKPC Ltd
Every time The Lincolnite has approached UKPC for a statement, there has been virtually no response, including on Monday and Tuesdays October 11 and 12. The only automated response came after also contacting the complaints email, saying: “Please be advised we have received your appeal. Please allow up to 35 days for a response.”
We went to the car park on Tuesday, October 12 and, whilst there, another man received a fine — but no attendant was to be seen. They appear to stay covert in their unmarked cars in order to avoid confrontation with shoppers.
Although an attendant did confirm to the reporter that he was from UKPC on Friday, October 15, he claimed he was “not allowed to comment” and advised contacting the company via the website.
In addition, when you try to phone the company and choose from the various different options, an automated voice informs you that it cannot be dealt with on the phone, and appeals must be made in writing.
UKPC says “we pride ourselves to alleviate your parking difficulties”, but we, and many customers, have struggled to get an official reply from them.
The firm is run by Rupert and Amanda Williams, who enjoy a luxury lifestyle and a string of fancy cars, according to The Mirror. The Mirror also reported last year that the parking firm claims taxpayer cash despite making £1.3 million profit in 2019.
If you have encountered an issue at this car park, please contact us at [email protected] with as many details and evidence as possible.
UKPC Ltd’s signage at the Tritton Road Retail Park. A sticker was visibly placed over the no parking hours last year. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Not a new problem
In November 2018, residents said they were planning to boycott the car park after they introduced new £100 fines for “leaving the site”.
Drivers at the time said they had not been warned about the change of rules, except for a small yellow notice on the signs at the car park.
Earlier the same year, in April 2018, it was reported that UK Parking Control was fined almost £6,000 for refusing to provide CCTV footage from a Lincoln car park that would have helped an investigation into fly-tipping.
The car park’s operator UKPC was also embroiled in a scandal in 2015 where drivers appealed against fraudulent parking tickets after revelations from The Lincolnite.
More than 9,000 bins have been rejected by a Lincolnshire council so far this week as authorities clamp down on what can and can’t be recycled.
North Kesteven District Council’s recent introduction of a purple bin for dry and clean paper and cardboard has caused confusion with nearly 20% of green bins – meant for plastic bottles and cans – not emptied by refuse collectors, in the second collection since the scheme started.
Residents have hit out at the amount of rubbish left behind and the council’s strict rules – with some even resorting to abuse of the refuse collectors – but NKDC bosses say recycling contamination is “undermining” their efforts and that advice is being offered to residents who break the rules.
Here’s the breakdown of collections this week so far:
Monday – 1,864 rejected (19% of bins presented)
Tuesday – 2,279 rejected (19.5%)
Wednesday – 2,651 rejected (23%)
Thursday – 2,320 rejected (21%)
Lynda Somers took to North Hykeham Community Page to write: “The straw that broke the camel’s back… I am so meticulous in my recycling but bin not emptied to day. I want to dump it all and the two bins at the [NKDC] office. I will no longer recycle, I’m going to order a big black bin.”
And her sentiments were echoed by several others.
Others took a lighter approach, with Daryl James writing: “Just heard there will be public floggings held at the North Hykeham Village Green Saturday morning for all of the naughty folk that didn’t obey the strict green bin protocols… please bring your tag of shame so it can warrant how many floggings you will receive.”
A North Kesteven District Council illustration of what should go in each bin. | Image: NKDC
In the first purple bin collection week, which ran from September 27, just 1.5% of bins were rejected.
A spokesman for North Kesteven District Council emphasised that what can and can’t be recycled hadn’t changed, just where it went.
Council leader, Councillor Richard Wright, said: “Contamination is an issue which is increasingly impacting on how much can be recycled and undermining all the efforts our households are making on their recycling at home.
“The only way to stop this is by everyone taking responsibility for our waste, by making sure only the right thing goes into the right bin.”
He said the council had been communicating with residents on the new rules since July.
North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright.
“We never want to leave a bin unemptied unless it’s really necessary,” he added.
“The wrong things regularly found in green-lidded bins – from soft plastics such as film lids and carrier bags to other items such as kitchen roll and used tissues, takeaway containers and even dirty nappies – can’t be recycled and contaminate other good recycling in bins and even the lorry load itself.
“This results in not only increased sorting costs but less items recycled as residents expect them to be,” he said.
Improvement works at the A17 Holdingham Roundabout are on track to be completed by the end of the year, Lincolnshire County Council promised, as final touches are added to the road development scheme.
The project to widen Holdingham Roundabout and reduce congestion in the area began in February, with a view to completing the roadworks and reopening the roundabout this December.
It is still on track to be completed within this time frame, weather permitting, after all but one of the roundabout’s legs were resurfaced.
Remaining works will now see new traffic signals installed at the roundabout, as well as new drainage, street lights, kerning and traffic monitoring cameras, as well as a new footway.
The £8.25 million A17 Holdingham Roundabout scheme, alongside the A17/A153 Rugby Club junction development, has been funded by North Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council and development contributors.
As part of the next stage of works, the B1518 Sleaford will close overnight for five evenings, starting Monday, November 1, lasting between 7.30pm and 5.30am.
The diversion route for this closure will be via the B1517 / A15 North and vice versa.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Our works to Holdingham Roundabout are going incredibly well – and, if the weather agrees with us, we’ll have it fully back open, before Christmas with the new traffic signals in operation.
“Recently, Eurovia has finished laying new road surfacing at all of the roundabout’s legs, apart from one.
“The only leg left to do is the B1518 Sleaford, which was pushed back slightly due to wet weather. Instead, we’re now planning to finish surfacing this area overnight during the first week of November.
“We’ve also identified some additional sections of the A15 Bourne leg that need to be surfaced, so the team will also be coming back overnight in the coming weeks to carry out that work, dates to be confirmed.”
Mr Davies continues: “Once fully re-opened, people traveling in and around Sleaford should experience safer, smoother journeys and shorter travel times – something that will benefit tens of thousands of people each day.”
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