People living in a small village in homes ‘constantly shaken’ by HGVs rumbling past say they worry about children’s safety.
Ulceby sees hundreds of lorries thundering through its narrow streets every day, scaring pedestrians and spraying houses with mud.
The traffic has raised the spectre of tragic fatalities caused by lorries in the past.
North Lincolnshire Council has promised that it has a solution to the problem which it will announce soon.
HGVs in Ulceby, where residents have raised safety concerns | Credit: Jamie Waller
Denise Gunn said: “The lorries come through so fast – if you’re standing near the road, you feel yourself sucked in.
“They use it as a cut-through just because it takes a bit of time off their journey, but this little village just isn’t suitable.
“I’ve lived on a main road in London where you would expect it. You shouldn’t have it here though.
“The traffic is concerning as an adult, but it’s the children I worry about.”
She added: “It’s also really difficult for people who live along the main road with the noise and vibration.
“The lorries are constantly spraying muck on the houses. There are a lot of beautiful cottages which end up looking a state – the owners can’t clean it off everyday.”
Sara Ryder, who has grown up in the village, warned that HGVs have previously had tragic consequences.
“When I was young, one of my friends and another child in the village were both killed by lorries on separate occasions.
“Fortunately, the level of traffic has gotten better over the years but it has definitely starting to build again.
“I’m always worried when my daughter has to cross Station Road to get on her school bus.
“They come through at an awful speed some times.
“The lorries should use the M180 which has infrastructure to support them – Ulceby isn’t cut out for it.
“Drivers’ sat navs seems to be sending them on the shortest route rather than the most appropriate.
“A lot seem to be coming from the Immingham docks or other big businesses.”
The traffic situation is particularly precarious when lorries have to manoeuvre around parked traffic.
Steve Bell, whose sister lives in the village, said: “It’s certainly a problem here, everybody knows that, but I’m not sure what the solution.
“Ideally, it would be nice to get rid of lorries, but I don’t see how that’s ever going to happen.
“It does get a bit dangerous at school times, so something has to happen.”
North Lincolnshire Council has promised a ‘constructive solution’ to address the problem.
“Economic development and growth across all our wonderful towns and villages in North Lincolnshire is hugely positive and ensures people have access to better jobs and more opportunities,” a spokesperson said.
“Sometimes this development has an unintended impact upon settlements which have, in some cases, been around for hundreds of years. A balance must be struck so development is sympathetic to local communities.
“In the case of Ulceby we have a constructive solution we can announce soon which should improve the situation.”
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
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