The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Work on a £5million improvement scheme at a dangerous Holbeach junction could start next spring.
Plans for a roundabout at the A17/A151 Peppermint junction have been given planning permission by Lincolnshire County Council.
The junction has gained a reputation as an accident hotspot as a result of 22 collisions resulting in injury over the past 10 years.
It is hoped the new roundabout will also improve traffic flow along the A17 and reduce traffic through Holbeach town centre.
A second roundabout would provide access to land for potential housing and commercial development either side of the A151.
Executive member for highways and transportation, Coun Richard Davies, said: “It is obvious that changes need to be made at this junction.
“After consulting with local people we applied for planning permission for improvements that will not only make the junction safer, but will also enable us to open up land for potential development, supporting the local economy.
“Given the current financial climate it is becoming increasingly difficult for the council to finance projects such as this so it is important that we can take advantage of Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Development growth deal funding, as well as developer contributions made through the planning process to enable the council to invest in projects such as this which will makejourney times faster and reduce congestion not just in Holbeach but for those travelling along the A17 too.”
The changes will also prevent Northon’s Lane being used as a rat run and divert traffic, in particular HGVs, away from the town.
The council will now apply to the Department for Transport for the legal orders required for the scheme to start.
A contractor can then be appointed with work Starting in 2017.
