October 14, 2022 5.10 pm This story is over 20 months old

Call to lock up ‘disgusting’ Spalding passage used as ‘latrine’

It makes it unpleasant for pedestrians in the day
Public art is planned for Abbey Passage | Photo: Google

A popular Spalding passageway which becomes a latrine after dark should have gates installed, a councillor has said.

Abbey Passage was described as “absolutely disgusting” in a Spalding Town Forum meeting.

A bid is currently being prepared to brighten the area up with public art, hopefully making it feel more attractive.

However, Councillor Roger Gambaa-Jones warned that more work was needed.

“If we’re going to do the work, I would hate for it to be spoilt by missing opportunity to gate it. 

“It is misused and abused after-hours as a latrine by far too many people. I hope we can look at the opportunity. 

“We have the co-operation of key holders who can control access. This isn’t an essential thoroughfare – closing at times would go a long way to improving quality of the passage in the daytime. 

“People tell us it’s ‘absolutely disgusting’ when they’re using it as pedestrian. It would be a shame not to keep it up to date.”

Abbey Passage connects the town centre Bridge Street with Vine Street.

The community scheme Transported will submit a bid to Arts Council England to enable public art in Abbey Passage.

A report on improvements in Spalding town centre says this has the opportunity to “brighten up the area and make the passage feel safer, welcoming and more attractive.”