Experts reveal Mareham Road plan will not lead to more delays at Horncastle hot-spots

Wait for it: A typical snarl up at the junction of the A153 and A158 in Horncastle, but traffic experts say the new plans will not have a signifcant impact on the volume of vehicles

The authority says a traffic assessment - compiled by one of the country’s leading experts - has allayed fears that the £8.25m development off Mareham Road would add to the town’s already notorious delays.

Residents and local councillors - many of who welcome one of the biggest developments in the town’s history - have expressed concerns about additional delays at the junction of Mareham Road and Boston Road - and Boston Road (A153) with the A158.

However, the traffic assessment - submitted as part of the planning application, says the new headquarters hub and college will have no ‘detrimental impact’ on the road system.

The conclusion is a major boost to the planning process, although transport only forms part of an exhaustive criteria.

Neil Cucksey, ELDC’s assistant director (property, growth and buildings) told the News the transport assessment was compiled using the very latest methods.

He said: “Lincolnshire County Council has supplied all the details from surveys - including the number of vehicles at peak times, the number of accidents in the area - and the experts (Curtins) have produced a very comprehensive assessment.”

The assessment - which is available to view on ELDC’s online planning portal - is based on an average working day. It takes in to account how many vehicles will be expected to arrive or exit the site at certain times.

Peak times are between 7.30-10.30am and 3-5.30pm when Boston Road is regularly gridlocked.

However, Mr Cucksey (right) pointed out ELDC’s ‘flexible working patterns’ mean many staff would not be working from 9-5.

He said the surveys on both junctions indicated there were ‘no issues’.

Mr Cucksey admitted the authority was aware of concerns over the junction of Boston Road (A153) and the A158.

He revealed the county council had confirmed the junction was working at ‘over capacity’ - despite on-going efforts to improve traffic flows.

He added: “The assessment states the number of extra vehicles this development will ‘push through’ that junction is insignificant.”

Mr Cucksey went on to say the assessment had concluded extra vehicle movements ‘did not warrant’ any improvements at that junction.

He said the same applied to Mareham Road/Boston Road.

He stressed data used for the assessment was based on the expected usage of ELDC’s HQ, organisations which had shown an interest in moving into the hub and the further education college.

He also indicated the provision for 205 car parking places was ‘more than enough’ to meet demand and vehicles would not have to park on Mareham Road.

The road has already been described as a ‘nightmare’ at the start and finish of the day at nearby Banovallum School.

In line with the assessment, Mr Cucksey confirmed ELDC wanted to explore ‘all modes’ of travelling to the site, including cycling, walking and public transport.