Lincolnshire County Council has apologised and admitted it made a mistake as it changed gear over a new parking scheme in Louth.
The authority’s “experimental order” which started last week included the removal of on-street parking on Mercer Row and the widening of pedestrian footways as part of an Active Travel Plan to make walking and cycling easier.
However, feedback from businesses and residents have seen it remove barriers and planters on Monday and only close off access to the Cornmarket.
Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for highways Councillor Richard Davies said: “We’ve listened to what concerns residents and businesses have expressed to us at the start of the scheme and we’re going to make changes in the appropriate way.
“Quite simply, we need to ensure that what we do fits in with the beautiful town that Louth is.
“In the first steps of this plan going live, we’ve not got that quite right and we’re sorry for the confusion that this has led to.
“As with every step of this experimental scheme, we’ve taken notice of feedback and by doing so we’re ready to make changes where appropriate.”
The scheme will last 18 months and Councillor Davies said if it was not wanted at the end it could be “easily” removed.
Critics don’t believe people will cycle in from the villages and said elderly shoppers could be prevented from accessing the high street.
They fear the plans could wipe out any help they were given during the pandemic.
East Lindsey District and Louth Town Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders said the council should have “thought this out better before starting the scheme”.
She said the changes did not take account of the need to deliver to business premises from off street, or customers picking up heavy items.
She said short-stay parking was needed to keep the market towns “vital and viable”.
“We are happy to see cafe culture but it must be done well, not the half-hearted attempt last year and the town only wants the Cornmarket closed from April to the end of September.
“We are asking people to sit out in what is essentially a car park, hardly attractive.”
She added: “The disabled are being disadvantaged, six parking spaces on the Market Place, which are hard to navigate, and only on non-market days is contrary to the disability legislation.
“This is a town with frail, elderly and disabled residents. We must look after them and we must support our businesses too.”
“This is not innovative but a backward step,” she said, calling on the council to carry out proper consultation.
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The final in the latest series of road closures for works on the A1, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, has been temporarily postponed
A weekend northbound A1 closure was due to be in place between 8pm on Friday, May 20 and 6am on Monday, May 23.
However, Lincolnshire County Council said the closure has been temporarily postponed and once new dates have been confirmed they will be shared.
Works on phase three began in April this year, with the council anticipating that winter 2023 will be the completion date for the relief road.
This will be with the view to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and provide opportunities for growth in the local economy.
The £102 million Grantham Southern Relief Road project has been led by Lincolnshire County Council, supported by South Kesteven District Council, Highways England, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Network Rail, Homes England, the Department for Transport and local business contributions.
Safety improvements have been carried out at corner where numerous accidents have occurred in East Keal.
The council is looking into what else can be done to prevent motorists from coming off the road at Hall Corner, while police are looking into the possibility of fitting a speed camera.
A cement lorry recently overturned on the corner in February.
Lincolnshire County Council has found a slight dip in the road where Blacksmith Lane meets the A16 could be the reason why heavy vehicles travelling at excessive speed are tipping over.
It is considering whether to smooth out and realign the road, but says it is concious of the impact that closing the A16 would have on traffic and local businesses.
Several safety improvement measures have already been put in place, including ‘slow’ markings, enhanced bend warning signs and improved chevrons.
Problems have been found with the road surface on the corner. | Photo: Google Street View
Lincolnshire Police are assessing whether a speed camera on the corner would be beneficial, and will be taking speed readings in the coming weeks.
Larger barriers and longer safety fencing have been proposed by the public. However, the county council says that in order for it to be big enough to withstand the impact of overturned vehicles, the cost can’t be justified.
Either the local parish council or the country council could also explore whether to fund a reactive speed sign on the location.
Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We are very thankful to the residents and members of the parish council who have given us their ideas and support in what can be done at Hall Corner. Local knowledge and personal feedback are cornerstones of what we do in terms of delivering the best solutions in the most informed way.
“There has already been much done at this bend to try and mitigate the issues faced and we now have more planned for this particular area that will go on to encourage all road users to drive accordingly in line with the road and conditions.
“I would like to thank everyone involved so far for their input. We will all work together to get the best resolution we can for Hall Corner.”
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