Search begins for Lincoln Cathedral’s Quasimodo and Esmerelda

Lincolnshire Police have today launched a new road safety campaign to warn people of the consequences of speeding and try to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.

The ‘Just have a little patience’ campaign begins today, 17 August, on the anniversary of the UK’s first ever road death in 1896.

Over the last year 45 people have been killed on Lincolnshire’s roads, and a further 450 have been seriously injured.

James Kirk, Detective Inspector in SCIU (Serious Collision Investigation Unit), said: “In the last year we’ve had nearly 500 families whose lives have been devastated by the impact of road collisions.

“Our officers have to knock on the door and deliver that news to tell someone’s child, parent, partner, brother, or sister that their lives will be changed forever. I cannot put into words the impact this has on not only the family but on friends, work colleagues and the local community.”

The majority of road traffic collisions are preventable. The main causes of collisions include being in a hurry, failing to look properly, and aggressive driving. All of these factors are intensified by speed.

Marc Gee, Inspector at Lincolnshire Police’s RPU (Roads Policing Unit), said: “This campaign is aimed at improving the driving standards of everyone in the county, as we often see serious road traffic collisions caused by impatience and poor driving.

“If only people could ‘just have a little patience’ a significant number of collisions would be prevented. People should realise that a risky overtake might only take seconds off their journey. At this time of year we see lots of slower agricultural vehicles around the county so please be patient and drive with care.”

Marc Jones, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We have introduced a new roads policing team, launched Operation Snap to encourage residents to send us dashcam footage of dangerous driving and invested in cutting edge on-board cameras for our police cars.

“But despite these efforts there is no substitute for careful driving, good road sense and patience on our roads. Please be careful. A car can be a dangerous weapon if it is used carelessly.”

Run in partnership with the Lincolnshire Roads Safety Partnership (LRSP), the new campaign will see motorists across the county displaying the ‘Just have a little patience’ bumper stickers on the back of their vehicles.

These stickers can be picked up from the following police stations across the county.

• Birchwood
• Boston
• Gainsborough
• Grantham
• Horncastle
• Louth
• Mablethorpe
• Market Rasen
• Skegness
• Sleaford
• South Park
• Spalding
• Stamford

Ukrainian Independence Day is this month, marking 21 years of freedom from the Soviet Republic, and after the tragedy of Russian invasion earlier this year, a march of solidarity and remembrance will be held in Lincoln.

The walk will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 21 years after the 1991 Declaration of Independence in Ukraine, to celebrate the country in all its glory.

It will take on added poignance this year given the tragedy of the Russian invasion of the Eastern European nation, which has seen a total of 5,514 civilian deaths verified by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Lincolnshire people have opened their homes to refugees from Ukraine | Photo: Bradley Wall

The walk begins at 5.45pm, leaving St Mary le Wigford Church – the base of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre of Lincoln – before meandering through the High Street, the Strait, Steep Hill and Exchequergate.

It will arrive at the intended destination of Lincoln Cathedral where a short ceremony will be held outside the monument in memory of the “Lost Children of Ukraine” – before people make their own way home.

| Photo: John Aaron for The Lincolnite

To embrace the true spirit of the event, participants are encouraged to either hold or wear something blue and/or yellow, signifying the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

Read: Ukrainian journalist and refugee eternally grateful for Lincolnshire hosts

Lincolnshire has been a keen player in Ukraine support since the initial fallout of the Russian invasion, with more than 800 Ukrainian people welcomed to safety in our county so far.

At the end of February, just days after Russian troops began their invasion, a well-attended candlelit vigil was held at Lincoln Cathedral, while the iconic landmark lit up in Ukraine’s blue and yellow colours.

Staff and students from the University of Lincoln stood in solidarity with Ukraine. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

As well as this, over 100 University of Lincoln staff and students stood shoulder to shoulder on campus in a defiant act of solidarity back in March – promising anyone affected by the conflict that they are not alone.

In April, the Lincoln Run for Ukraine, organised by those behind the annual Santa Fun Run – the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia – saw the community get their running shoes on for a good cause around the city.