The improvements to Pinchbeck Road, between Kings Road to Enterprise Way, will start in mid-June.
Works will start on Monday 15 June for up to six months (subject to weather).
Cllr David East, executive member for highways, said: “This scheme is all about better connecting Spalding and Pinchbeck by offering people more ways of getting where they want to go, all while preserving the distinct character of both places. This is being done by enhancing the area’s walking and cycling network, making them more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
“This is no easy feat. The team has spent months designing and planning these works, which will involve using 5,700 tonnes of road-building materials.
“While on-site, we’ll also be carrying out other essential works to the area. These include upgrading the West Elloe Avenue traffic signals to the latest technology and replacing fifteen older street lights along Pinchbeck Road with new.”
Cllr Ingrid Sheard, county councillor for Spalding Elloe, said: “I’m thrilled that these works will be starting imminently because I’m confident they will bring a very positive change to anyone living in, working in or travelling through Spalding and Pinchbeck.
“By enhancing the area’s walking and cycling network and improving safety, we expect to increase the number of people walking, wheeling, and cycling in the area. This, in turn, supports the health and wellbeing of Spalding and Pinchbeck residents, while also improving travel times.”
As part of the project, the following improvements will be carried out:
- Widening and resurfacing all of the existing footways between Kings Road and Enterprise Way to accommodate a new combination of shared and segregated footway/cycleway
- Resurfacing 1.5 kilometres of the carriageway on Pinchbeck Road, from Kings Road to Enterprise Way
- Updating signage in the area to reflect the new segregated and shared footway/cycleway facilities being built
- Installing new tactile paving at Woolram Wygate junction to improve pedestrian and cyclist travel
- Refurbishing the traffic signals at the Pinchbeck Road / West Elloe Avenue junction
- Replacing older street lanterns with new and moving the existing streetlighting columns as needed to accommodate the new wider layout
Phasing and traffic management
The works will be carried out over multiple phases to avoid disruption across the whole of Pinchbeck Road. Some of these phases will take place concurrently, with kerbing and footways taking place during the day and carriageway resurfacing taking place overnight.
Cllr East said: “Phasing the works will allow the contractor to focus on completing a set area or two before moving onto the next. It will also mean far less strain on the local road network when compared to simply closing the whole of Pinchbeck Road for months.”
A combination of road closures; temporary traffic signals; and a one-way system during select phases will be in place throughout the project, as needed.
Cllr East added: “These works will no doubt cause some short-term disruption, but I want to stress that we’ll be doing all we can to keep this to a minimum.
“In addition to keeping traffic flowing as best we can and maintaining access to the hospital at all times, we’ll also be working to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users can continue their day-to-day routines as usual during the scheme.
“This will be done by offering alternative provisions when needed and by working with local bus companies to ensure any service changes are communicated at least two weeks before they’re made.
“We’ll also be working with utility providers so that their works are carried out the same time as ours, which will prevent unnecessary disruption in the future.”
The county council has collaborated with the following organisations as part of these initial Spalding to Pinchbeck Active Travel works:
- Cadent Gas – for their mains improvement on Woolram Wygate and to arrange safe working near their pressure gas main on Pinchbeck Road
- National Grid – for upgrades of electric network between West Elloe Avenue and Kings Road
- Openreach – to divert some of their assets to accommodate the new cycle facility we’re installing
- Network Rail – to ensure safe working near to level crossings at Woolram Wygate and Park Road
For more information about these and other major highways projects, visit: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/spaldingpinchbeckroute.