November 7, 2022 3.30 pm This story is over 27 months old

Rethink on 40mph limit for A17 near Boston

The accident rate was ‘surprisingly low’
There's been debate over the speed limit around East Heckington | Photo: Google

A proposal to slow down the A17 near Boston could lead to “all hell breaking loose” on other side, a councillor has warned.

Lincolnshire County Council was considering whether to lower the 50mph stretch near East Heckington to 40mph.

However, councillors feared that it could lead to dangerous overtaking the moment vehicles lead the zone.

It would extend from the junction with Sidebar Lane through to the village, almost to Swineshead railway station.

The council’s Planning and Regulation Committee said the proposed speed reduction needed a rethink.

Councillor Mrs Alison Austin said: “I have concerns about the extent to which traffic would be kept to 40mph. This is a major road in the East Midlands with a large amount of heavy traffic.

“I’m worried that once traffic leaves 40mph, all hell will break loose. Everyone is going to be jockeying to get past each other.

“With it being such a long, long stretch, there could be unforeseen consequences the moment vehicles are out.

The proposed speed limit change around East Heckington | Photo: Lincolnshire County Council

“The A17 tends to be self-regulating – this won’t be the case at 40mph.”

Councillor Thomas Ashton agreed that it didn’t seem appropriate, saying: “There are sections that don’t feel like 40mph – there are bits of open road with good visibility.”

Speed surveys found that traffic averaged between 42 and 46 mph in the stretch.

Councillor Paula Ashleigh-Morris, who represents a Boston ward, also said that the change didn’t seem needed.

“I was surprised to find there were only 15 accidents resulting in injuries on this stretch in the last five years,” she said.

“We have very few good roads into Boston – this one cracks along.

“Where I live on a B road in Langrick, we’ve had considerably more accidents as HGVs head up to Immingham. This change needs a rethink.”

Councillor Carrington also requested for information on whether speed had contributed to previous accidents.

Members voted for council officers to take another look at reducing the extent of the 40mph zone.

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