May 24, 2022 8.00 pm This story is over 25 months old

Emergency road closure for road materials testing in Stamford

Two-hour closure in Red Lion Square

Work begins in May 2022 to replace the cobbles in Stamford's Red Lion Square with stone setts. | Photo: LCC

An emergency road closure will be put in place for two hours in Stamford’s Red Lion Square on Wednesday as expert crews carry out road materials testing.

The critical work will take place on Wednesday, May 25 and the road closure in and around the square will be in effect from 10am until 12pm. A full route diversion will be signposted.

The roads will have to be closed because some of the materials testing will be carried out on the live northbound traffic lane in the area.

The route map for traffic whilst testing is underway. | Photo: LCC

Just last week a forty-year-old gas main was discovered during works to replace the old cobbles in Red Lion Square, which the county council said was likely to delay the completion of the £1.4 million project. The site team began the works but later identified the shallow gas main on-site that may need to be diverted.

Lincolnshire County Council will keep, and update, the cobbled square despite the mayor of Stamford previously calling on the authority to instead use tarmac. Local residents had previously reacted in horror when the traditional paving setts were repacked with patches of tarmac in 2020.

Red Lion Square in Stamford. | Photo: LCC

Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience that these material tests will cause and for the late notice of the road closure in Red Lion Square.

“Our on-site team has uncovered questions about the road materials which need clear answers and these can only come about through these tests.

“Rather than postpone the works further we will close the road for two hours to carry out the tests and then resume to the original plan of works for the area. We are doing this to absolutely minimise the disruption to road users as much as possible.

“Whilst this situation is not ideal, we appreciate the efforts of all concerned. I want to thank everyone effected for their patience in this matter whilst we carry out these tests.”