Agenda item

(To receive an update from Sam Edwards, Head of Highways Infrastructure, which provides an overview of Levelling Up schemes)

Consideration was given to a presentation from the Head of Highways Infrastructure presenting a final update on the review of speed limits.

Issues covered in the presentation included:

• A16 - Marsh Lane Roundabout, Boston – This scheme sought to move the existing roundabout and widening the westside enabling a designated right turn lane which would improve the flow onto the Marsh Lane Industrial Estate, thus benefitting the agri-foods industry. Furthermore, significant widening was proposed to create two lanes to relieve right turning traffic at peak times impeding Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)
• Active Travel Project in Boston – This scheme sought to widen the footway to provide a combined footway cycleway on the network in addition to improved crossing facilitates while remaining compliant with LTN1/20 design guidance. The alternative travel pattens of this scheme would enable those moving in an East-West direction greater model selection.
• A16 – Kirton Junction – This scheme sought to turn the existing compact roundabout into a signalised traffic light junction. The level of growth along the corridor required this junction to be redesigned to safeguard for the future. The A16, North and South, two lane approaches and exits, would open the door for potential dual carriageway schemes in the future.
• A16 – Greencell Roundabout, Spalding – This scheme sought to increase the size of the current roundabout to enable two HGVs to use it simultaneously. Land take to the north east of the site was required to enable the expansion of the lanes. Additionally, when travelling in from the south east to go into Spalding, a designated lane was proposed, and all junctions would have a two-lane entry and exit. Officers wanted to extend the scheme further to the south east, but the bridge widening would have not been feasible within the funding bid.
• A16 – Springfield Road Roundabout, Spalding – This scheme intended to introduce a spiral roundabout by piping the current ditches thus, avoiding the need for land take. This would subsequently allow for three lane entrance and two lane exits on the larger routes and two-lane entrance and one lane exits for the minor routes.
• Active Travel Project in Spalding – This scheme sought to improve the footway cycle routes and improve crossing facilities.
• Programme of works – The Committee were demonstrated the programme of works for the above schemes and were advised that Active Travel Boston and Marsh Lane were intended for development for April 2023 and Greencell and Springfield were to be staggered to mitigate impact to traffic.  It was heavily stressed that the programme was illustrative only and was very likely to change as the detailed design progresses.

During consideration of the presentation, the Committee raised the following comments:

• A16 Marsh Lane Roundabout – It was clarified that the right-hand lane would become a right turn only while a left hand lane, to be constructed, would alleviate the wait for right hand lane traffic while still facilitating a route to Boston.
• A16 – Kirton Junction – It was explained that traffic would still be travel from east to west.
• A16 – Springfield Road Roundabout – Members were advised that, as part of the bid, a separated footbridge was considered, however, the engineering challenges and the necessity for land take and planning permission would have rendered the scheme unworkable within the time frame of the levelling up fund bid. To allow for acceptable crossings, the at-grade crossings were improved.

RESOLVED

                       That the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee’s note the update.