The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Consultation starts on Thursday (June 12) on a vision of transport in Spalding for the next 20 years.
Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council have drafted a strategy that sets out the vision for the town’s road network and outlines how necessary improvements will be delivered.
The strategy has been drawn up following a previous consultation carried out before Christmas, which provided planners with information about the existing problems people experience, their concerns for the future, and what they feel is important to the future of Spalding.
Now people are being asked to say what they think about the strategy at a series of exhibitions, with district council and county council staff on-hand to answer questions about the draft strategy and other local transport related issues.
The views of residents and businesses will help to shape the final strategy, and the future of transport.
The events are being held at the South Holland Centre on Thursday from 3pm to 7.30pm, Friday from noon to 4pm and Saturday, 9.30am to 3pm.
Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Spalding’s economy has great promise and we expect the town to grow substantially over the next decade.
“But we need to make sure the infrastructure is in place to support this development, so we’ve developed the transport strategy to identify the challenges facing the town, and set down the improvements that are needed.
“The document will be used to obtain government funding and it’ll provide a clear plan for the future, which will make it easier to encourage developers to invest in the area.
“Everyone has a view on transport, and I think it’s really important that local people give their feedback on this strategy.
“Please come along to one of the consultation events we’re holding, or get in touch online, by phone, or by post.”
Coun Howard Johnson, portfolio holder for Economic Development, Commercial Assets and Strategic Planning at South Holland District Council, said: “I fully endorse the comments made by county councillor Richard Davies, and hope that the residents of Spalding and its surrounding communities, and others who work in the town and make use of its various services and facilities, will take this opportunity to consider the contents of the draft strategy and submit their views on them.”
All consultation material and an on-line questionnaire is also available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk, or by contacting the team at sts@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Questionnaires will be available for those who prefer to give their views by post. Simply call 01522 782070, or write to Spalding Transport Strategy, 5th Floor, Mill House, Lincoln, LN1 1YT.
Better public transport would be a start, look how many cars are grid-locked going in the same direction. If the service is provided, let the bus or train take the strain out of commuting.