Banning cars on a section of Lumley Road in Skegness is one of five pilots being implemented by Lincolnshire County Council for 18 months to cut congestion and make walking and cycling easier in the county.
The council launched a consultation in March to ask residents’ views on eight schemes using £799,900 funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund. Over 2,750 residents, business and organisations completed the consultation which ended on Sunday, May 16.
Schemes have been given the go ahead in Skegness, Grantham, Louth, Sturton by Stow, Lincoln. Each scheme will be implemented for a period of up to 18 months, after which a decision will be made whether or not to keep the changes. No date has been set yet for when the schemes will start.
Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transport at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Where these schemes are being implemented, they will be temporary for up to 18 months. If they work for the community, we can make them permanent. And if they don’t, we can take them out again easily.
“Although they are temporary, we’re keen for no community to feel like they’ve just got roadworks happening for 18 months so we will use high quality infrastructure to implement these changes, such as traffic planters.”
The scheme will create a traffic-free corridor along a section of Lumley Road. The road will be closed to all vehicles from the junction of Roman Bank/Wainfleet Road to the junction with Drummond Road.
The junctions with Beresford Avenue and Rutland Road will also be closed to through traffic accessing Lumley Road.
However, Roman Bank, Wainfleet Road and Drummond Road will all remain open to motor traffic, as will the section of Lumley Road from the Clock Tower Roundabout to Drummond Road.
An issue was raised regarding the bus service. The county council is recommending proceeding with that project, with close monitoring and the some changes.
The changes include turning the Lumley Road ‘Active Travel Corridor’ into a ‘Sustainable Travel Corridor’ by allowing buses to access the road. There will also be 20mph advisory signage on Lumley Road and the council is working with bus companies to adhere to this.
The following four schemes will also now go ahead after receiving broad public support:
Grantham active travel zone (48% supportive)
Creating a ‘Sustainable Travel Corridor’ allowing buses and cycles to progress southbound on High Street. Northbound traffic would continue as is currently the case
At St Peter’s Hill the straight ahead lane will be removed from the west side and turned into a wider footway and area for outdoor retail/hospitality
St Peter’s Hill eastbound lane to be removed to continue sustainable travel corridor – breaking into filter lanes opposite Belvoir estate agents
The closure of Guildhall Street at the junction of High Street allowing access for deliveries
Westgate area proposals to be dropped with monitoring during the first six months of ETO to consider installation of temporary give way islands if traffic needed to be slowed further
Louth active town centre (64% supportive)
The council has recommended the following changes to the proposal:
Remove the proposed closures to Aswell Street and Burnt Hill Lane. This appears to be unwelcome as there will be access issues.
Convert Market Place parking to blue badge only when market in not operational to increase disabled parking
Protect the existing cycle lane on Eastgate with small planters
Advisory 20mph signage at entrance to Mercer Row
This deals with the main issues of contention raised by residents. It would also deal with the majority of issues the town council raised.
Lincoln Newark Road cycle lane protection (82% supportive)
This has been the most supported proposal put forward for consultation. The council recommends the project proceeds in totality with no changes. Consideration has already been given to ensure the cycle protection does not obstruct private driveways, side roads, and bus stops.
Sturton by Stow low traffic neighbourhood (60% supportive)
The Low Traffic Neighbourhood closure will take place at the north end of the village. The council will continue to monitor the situation and consider moving the closure to the Southern edge based on ongoing residents’ feedback.
Other prospective schemes in Boston, Mablethorpe and Spalding were not supported by the public, and will not be going ahead.
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A Lincoln care home resident had a day she’ll never forget after celebrating her 106th birthday by being served lunch by a butler in the buff.
Norah Shaw received close to 200 birthday cards after an appeal from Tennyson Wharf Care Home in Burton Waters.
As well as being served lunch by a buff butler provided by Butlers in the Buff, Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer Eleanor Mattley, as well as cake and wine.
Norah enjoyed chatting to her buff butler Ed. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
The care home said: “Well, what an absolutely fantastic day for a truly special lady.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who sent Norah birthday cards and presents. We are all so touched by the heartwarming kindness that has been shown. It really has been astonishing.
Norah even got a card from The Queen. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“Norah was blown away with the generosity and kindness so thank you to each and and every single person for being so amazing. It was so lovely to all be a part of seeing Norah enjoy them all.
“As you can see, Norah thoroughly enjoyed her butler in the buff surprise. The amazing kitchen supplied a wonderful afternoon tea which Ed, the butler served to Norah. What an experience that was for everyone involved.
Norah celebrating a birthday she will never forget! | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Staff enjoyed celebrating Norah’s birthday with her. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer – Eleanor Mattley. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“We finished the day with a special performance from Norah’s all time favourite singer Eleanor Mattley Productions – Care Home Entertainment with prosecco and cake. The atmosphere was amazing as staff and residents joined together in song and dance for a truly magnificent afternoon.”
A new bar promising dancing bartenders and over 100 cocktails will open in Lincoln on Tuesday, and The Lincolnite went for a sneak preview as the first customer.
Be At One, which is managed by Stonegate Pub Group, will open on the High Street in the former Curiosity Shop on August 9 after more than £750,000 worth of investment.
The bar features an electric colour scheme with teal, pink and blue furnishings throughout. Gold and silver accents complete the space, with LED walls, ceilings, and neon signs lighting up the night. The bar also has an outside terrace area for guests to enjoy.
Lincoln will be the 38th Be At One to be opened by Stonegate Pub Group in England and Wales and General Manager Oskar Wozniak can’t wait to welcome the first guests through the door.
See inside Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar Wozniak is the General Manager at Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar, who has worked at other Be At One venues in Birmingham and Leeds, told The Lincolnite: “I am excited. Once we’re open and doing what we do best, throwing a great party and making the best cocktails, we look forward to being a go to venue in Lincoln.”
Bar staff at Be At One Lincoln served up a range of cocktails for The Lincolnite, including classics such as Pornstar Martini, as well as its very own ‘Raspberry Beret’ and ‘Pretty Whiskey Business’.
Adding the finishing touches to a cocktail! | Photo: Steve Smailes at The Lincolnite
Raspberry Beret is a popular Be At One cocktail across the country. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new bar saw four members of the Be At One team move over to Lincoln and over 10 new jobs were also created.
Be At One Lincoln will be open daily at the following times:
Monday to Wednesday – 4.30pm-1am
Thursday – 4.30pm-2am
Friday – 3pm-2am
Saturday – 12pm-2am
Sunday – 3pm-1am
A view from the second floor. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Be At One Lincoln is located in the unit formerly occupied by Curiosity Shop on the High Street. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite