LETTER: We need to help ourselves

Mr Battenham gives me far too much credit in his letter of February 23.
I was only the cabinet member responsible for strategic planning at the time.
I do admit to working with the late Paul Walls to prevent Woolram Wygate, Wygate Park, Monkshouse Lane and the Holland Park development from becoming the western relief road.
Lincolnshire County Council was keen to join up Pinchbeck Road and the then A16 in this way.
Our success led a dotted line appearing on the Local Plan map showing a route between Spalding and Pinchbeck, but no details. It remains unclear if LCC amended the county’s documents.
In 2000 Railtrack informed South Holland District Council of its intentions to increase use of the rail line.
More freight trains were to be diverted through Spalding to allow for more passenger trains on the mainline.
Asked what level crossing closure times might increase to, they responded by saying up to 40 minutes in the hour on some days.
Railtrack offered no concrete solutions to reduce the impact this would have on Spalding and were quick to point out that they had no legal obligation to do so.
It has never been my habit to shout out in public meetings.
I will apologise if any comments made to those with me were overheard – it wouldn’t be the first time my big mouth got me into trouble!
I was rather frustrated by the unhelpful information being delivered by the speakers.
Ignoring the location, these houses are needed and required by government policy to aid in addressing the nation’s severe housing shortage.
It’s true, the road has yet to be fully funded.
As with so much in Lincolnshire, if we don’t help ourselves, those in power are unlikely to rush to do it for us.
Hoping this will change anytime soon is pointless.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones
Spalding Wygate ward
South Holland DC