The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Closing town centre roads on market day is a “step too far” and should not be implemented.
A meeting held in Long Sutton attracted around 100 people to discuss the potential closure of roads to traffic on market day.
A report prepared for South Holland District Council by Compass Point Business highlighted potential health and safety issues with the mix of pedestrians and traffic in the town’s Market Place.
Among recommendations was the idea to close the Market Place and West Street to traffic on Fridays, when stall holders are in town.
But there was vocal opposition to the idea at the meeting which was held last Tuesday.
Coun Andrew Tennant, an independent member of Long Sutton district council, said the plan was a “step too far for the town” and hoped an acceptable resolution could be found.
“It was 100 per cent unanimous at the meeting that they did not want the road closure,” he said.
“There is some fear that it would kill the trade and turn it into a ghost town. There would also be problems as the traffic will have to go somewhere, it won’t just disappear,” he said.
The report was two years old and those who attended the meeting felt it was out of date and that potential conflict with vehicles and pedestrians could be an issue any day of the week in the town centre.
Residents have been given extra time to email wasteservices@sholland.gov.uk or write to Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding.
