Work on the north section of the Spalding Western Relief Road started in January 2022.
The Spalding Western Relief Road will:
- Provide a new route around the west side of the town
- Link the A1175 and A16 to the south and east of Spalding, to the B1356 to the north, via the B1172 Spalding Common.
360 panorama view of the Spalding Western Relief Road
The proposal is to deliver a 7.3m-wide single carriage road in five sections:
- Spalding Common to Holland Park - This includes a roundabout at B1172 Littleworth Drove and an overbridge spanning the Lincoln to Peterborough rail line. It is being constructed as part of Holland Park Housing Development which received outline planning permission in May 2012.
- Holland Park to Bourne Road - This route has been agreed and passes to the west of Neame Lea Nursery to run along a westerly aligned crossing at Bourne Road.
- Bourne Road to North of Vernatt’s Drain - This route has been agreed to cross Bourne Road on a westerly alignment to the north of Vernatt's Drain.
- North of Vernatt’s Drain - This route has been defined to run alongside Vernatt’s Drain
- North of Vernatt’s Drain to Spalding Road - This section would connect to the B1356 Spalding Road via a five-arm roundabout and run alongside Vernatt’s Drain to a signalised 'T' junction adjacent to the Vernatt's Drain. It includes a second overbridge spanning over the Lincoln to Peterborough rail line.
We are working with South Holland District Council on the project and to ensure the proposals comply with local policies so that the route is protected.
The 6.5km road is subject to funding.
Aims and benefits
The project aims and benefits are to:
- support sustainable housing and commercial growth within South Holland
- reduce delays and improve journey times for road users
- lessen the impact of increased freight passing through Spalding
- reduce traffic congestion in Spalding town centre
- enhance connectivity by improving west to south links around Spalding
- improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and address town centre safety
- improve the reliability of public transport by minimising town centre delays
- encourage walking and cycling by reducing town centre traffic
Cost and funding
The whole project is estimated to £109.5 million. However, that estimated cost is likely to increase if material and labour costs are still high when the south and middle sections are progressed in the future.
The estimated cost for the north section of the relief road is currently £48.6 million, including construction costs. This will be funded as follows:
- £20.1m from Housing Infrastructure Fund
- £27.5m from Lincolnshire County Council
- £1m from South Holland District Council
No funding has been identified for the southern or middle sections of the relief road. However, contributions from developers are expected to be the primary source of funding for both.
Timelines
- July 2011: Public consultation undertaken for Holland Park development
- November 2011: Consultation report released for North Phase 2
- May 2012: Holland Park development receives outline planning permission
- September 2014: Transport strategy for Spalding and the surrounding area
- January 2016: Proposals for North Phase 2 presented for public scrutiny
- July 2017: Grant funding towards technical and detailed design work accepted
- February 2018: £12m in Housing Infrastructure Fund awarded towards northern
- March 2018: Traffic modelling begins
- February 2019: Engagement sessions take place
- March 2019: Planning applications for North and South phases submitted
- April 2019: Feasibility study on central section routes begins
- October 2019: Recommended route for middle section of relief road identified
- December 2019: Recommended route presented to Highways & Transport Scrutiny Committee
- January 2020: Trojan Wood option selected route for relief road's middle section
- July 2020: North section preparatory works begin
- May 2021: Preparatory works, including archaeology, vegetation clearance and haul road construction, complete
- January 2022: Construction of northern section begins
- Summer 2024*: North section construction complete
*All future dates are projected and subject to change dependent on external factors.