The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An open letter to Sir John Hayes:
I understand that there are plans to close Blue Gowt Lane in Pinchbeck to make way for the new inner relief road, and I am appalled that this decision seems to have been made “on the quiet” rather like the charade of the Bourne Road crossing point, and no public larger public consultation having taken place.
I regularly use Holland Park and I am aware that the inner relief road is desperately needed but feel that there is no reason that a public footpath /cycleway could not be retained, it would only need pedestrian controlled traffic lights on the new road, which should not be a problem as I assume that the road will have a 30mph speed limit and the amount of times vehicles are stopped would not be a problem.
A large number of children regularly use the road for school attendance (Pinchbeck children to secondary schools, and Spalding children to primary school in Pinchbeck) especially in the better weather, and at a time when we are being urged to get children and adults to exercise more and to use cars less this idea seems insane!
I can only think that the only alternative route is on the main Pinchbeck Road (negotiating the new roundabout!) and most parents would not want their children to either cycle on that route, either accompanied or not, so would drive instead.
There is also the fact that it is a lovely summertime family leisure stroll which would be badly missed.
I look forward to your thoughts and hope that you can bring pressure to bear on the necessary people.
Gary Hodson
Cowbit
