More painful delays on town ‘relief road’

Money meant for the southern section of the Spalding Western Relief Road has been reallocated so it’s likely not to be funded for at least seven years while the only section being worked on is facing delays itself.

The controversial project, the three middle sections of which are yet to be funded or be granted permission for, is meant to be a bypass.But local doubts that the road will ever be linked up to provide congestion relief are likely to be amplified now that funding has been pulled for the southern section.Work was initially planned to begin in Spring 2022 after planning permission for the two most geographically opposed sections was granted in 2019.Planning applications expire after five years unless building work is started.Lincolnshire County Council though says it made ‘a material start’ on the southern section last September and has done enough work to ensure it won’t have to re-apply to itself for planning permission.However funding allocated for it has been put aside for ‘elsewhere’.Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “The past three years have been a turbulent time within the highways sector, including costs increases due to COVID; growing inflation rates; and the country entering into the recession we’re currently in.“Unfortunately, because of these and other issues, we announced during our annual budget meeting in February that we’ve had to re-allocate the £27.8 million of county council funding dedicated to the Spalding Western Relief Road’s southern section to help offset increased costs for other major road projects.“That means it’s unlikely that we start work before 2030 since that’s the earliest we expect to be able to allocate funding towards this phase of the project.“However, we’ll look at bringing that date closer if external funding can be identified.“In addition, no funding has yet been allocated or secured for the middle sections of the relief road as these are intended to be built in the long-term, as outline in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan.”Work on the northern section started with preparation work in February 2021.Back in Spring 2021 the county council warned the Two Plank footbridge could be closed for two years, but they’ve now said it’s to be much longer.“Despite opening the new Spalding Road roundabout last November as planned, we’ve encountered some unexpected issues with the remaining north section works that mean these won’t be complete until summer 2024,” Coun Davies continued. “A combination of rail strikes, supply chain issues, material availability and weather impacts are responsible for the expected delay.“Unfortunately, this will mean that Two Plank Bridge will remain closed for longer than expected, but it’s important to note that we don’t expect any more traffic disruption since all of the remaining works we need to carry out will be taking place away from any roads.“The focus is now on building the abutments and piers to support the new relief road bridge now that we’ve finished installing the 90 piles.“Once the abutments and piers are complete, the next step will be lifting the beams into place and constructing the bridge deck by placing supporting steel bracing, permanent formwork and a concrete deck. And after that, the new foot/cycleway and carriageway will be built on the deck.”