Comment: the long running saga that has sparked a war of words

Town councillors Alan Lockwood and Richard Barker have certainly ruffled a few feathers in recent months.

They would say they are fighting for Horncastle – which is exactly what they were elected to do.

Critics would say they should ...well... ‘fermer la bouche.’

The duo have lambasted various authorities –and some council colleagues – on a host of topics from flooding to skate parks and crime to zebra crossings.

Now, they are central figures in what has been dubbed the St Lawrence Street saga.

The question of whether to close the cobbled street seems to have lasted longer than an EastEnders storyline.

Councillors Lockwood and Barker have their feet firmly in the close camp.

They would point out the vast majority of town councillors share their views.

They would also claim the vast majority of Horncastle residents – and businesses – would also agree with closing the street.

For the last 18 months, the town council has been fighting ta battle to establish a Mediterranean-style plaza in the Market Place.

There would be tables and chairs, food, music and lots more...weather permitting.

It would, say the councillors, give Horncastle just the boost it needs as it recovers from the ravages of the national lockdown.

The duo would also tell you St Lawrence Street is not safe – an accident waiting to happen – because of narrow pavements and increasingly large vehicles.

The only problem is Lincolnshire County Council doesn’t agree.

The authority has rejected all calls to ban vehicles. Without that ban, the nearest plaza is in...Louth. Ouch!

With that in mind, you can imagine the looks on the faces of councillors Lockwood and Barker when they heard the county council had backed the Louth scheme – just weeks after rejecting Horncastle.

From April 12, Louth’s Cornmarket will have outdoor seating, buskers, bunting and a whole lot more.

The road will be closed to traffic three or four days a week.

In short, it’s just what Horncastle wanted.

As Coun Lockwood says, the fact Louth traders are saying theirs is a ‘unique’ scheme only pours salt into gaping wounds

There’s no wonder why Horncastle is asking – why the Cornmarket and not St Lawrence Street?

There’s talk of favouritism (and rebellion) in the air.

“You might as well wipe Horncastle off the map as far as the county council is concerned,” says Coun Barker. “We get nothing.”

He’s written to MP Victoria Atkins, asking her to intervene.

Coun Lockwood is just as angry ... and frustrated and mystified.

He’s submitted a Freedom of Information request to the county council, demanding to know how they arrived at both decisions.

Just to fuel the fire, Horncastle councillors say the St Lawrence Street decision was taken at a site meeting,

They are aware of some attendees, including the county’s portfolio holder for highways Coun Richard Davies.

However, they don’t have the full guest list.

Neither do they know how the decision was arrived at.

There are no minutes – a scandal in itself say councillors Lockwood and Barker.

There were no town councillors present – another scandal say the duo.

Town and county councillor Bill Aron has offered few details about the whys and wherefores.

Coun Aron is not on the best of terms with councillors Lockwood and Barker.

They’ve locked horns in the on a number of topics, including St Lawrence Street.

The pair – and other councillors – claim Coun Aron is not batting for Horncastle.

He says his record down the years speaks for itself.

There is every chance of further fall-outs.

Councillors Lockwood and Barker point the finger of blame at Coun Aron and the town’s three district councillors.

That trio includes Coun Fiona Martin (MBE) who is chair of the town council.

She has defended the district councillors and says that as ELDC does not own the road, they can’t close it.

I understand Coun Martin has also told Coun Barker that if he’s unhappy with her role in the saga, he should table a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

It’s a vote Coun Barker knows he is unlikely to win.

The town council is seeking legal advice about whether it can bypass the county council and close the street without the permission of the authority responsible.

That’s also highly unlikely.

Not everyone is for the closure although you are hard pushed to find anyone of influence who will argue against.

Some point out St Lawrence Street connects to a busy car park.

Others say closing the street will add to congestion in other parts of the town, including the High Street and Coning Street.

Cynics scoff at the suggestions of an outdoor cafe-style culture. Well, they’re not laughing in Louth.

Coun Barker’s suggestion that ‘we should do close it and see what happens’ does not have popular support.

So, the controversy and the accusations continue.

Is there a chance of compromise? Could dialogue hold the key?

Both sides are entrenched in ditches every bit as deep as the Somme.

Councillors Lockwood and Barker won’t back down. Neither, for that matter, will the county council.

Last year, the town council – unhappy with the general state of roads in Horncastle – set up it’s own highways working group

Councillors Martin, Lockwood and Barker are members..

One aim was to improve lines of communication between the town council and County Hall. Hmmm.

The closure episode is not the first time a county council decision has frustrated Horncastle.

Another recent example is the by-pass. Yes, I know, what bypass?

There is certainly no love lost between County Hall and the two Horncastle councillors.

However, far be it from me to suggest that recent squabbles has influenced the decision.

Those of us old enough will recall the scene in Only Fools and Horses when Delboy and Rodney ran through the streets of Peckham dressed as Batman and Robin.

The ‘Caped Crusaders’ is not necessarily how councillors Lockwood and Barker would describe themselves.

One thing for certain is this whole saga is no laughing matter.

So, why is Horncastle Town Council so determined to close St Lawrence Street to traffic?

The council believes creating an outdoor seating area would boost businesses and help enhance the town and its economy – particularly after the impact of Covid-19.

As things stand, a section of road outside the Post Office has been closed to traffic.

However, that benefits just one business, a cafe.

It has a small section of outdoor seat which has proved popular on market days and in good weather.

The owner of the cafe backs the closure of St Lawrence Street.

It would allow more businesses to create outdoor seating areas.

They include a tea room, a takeaway,a coffee house and a fish and chip shop .

According to the council, they all support the closure.

It’s not all about food .

Just like Louth, there are genuine desires of creating a plaza that would cover the entire Market Place, creating a venue for concerts, displays, etc

The Government is actively promoting such developments – but it seems not everyone has got that message.