Residents call for police action over speeding on rural roads

Residents in several villages – including Belchford and Hemingby – say there has been a significant increase in traffic with people using back roads to access the coast and avoid notorious jams in Horncastle.

They also claim more heavy goods vehicles are using village routes, adding to problems with the deterioration of roads which are often not designed for large volumes of traffic.

Residents have welcomed the speed checks but say that is only one aspect of a growing problem which they claim is behind many accidents in the area.

Belchford resident David Perren said he had written to ward county councillor Hugo Marfleet about the issue.

He said: “It has become apparent that the problem is getting worse and is related to traffic using the route to bypass Horncastle on the way to the coastal resorts.

“From my own observation and conversations with other people, traffic is leaving the A158 at Baumber at the Hunters Lane junction, then going via Hemingby crossing the A153 and through my village then via the Bluestone Heath Road and beyond.

“There is also evidence that satellite navigation systems will direct drivers via the route I have described and indeed the more advanced systems will add to the issue by highlighting to drivers if there is a traffic holdup and actively re-directing them to take alternative routes.

“My concerns are that the volume of traffic involved is totally unsuited to the type of roads we have in the immediate locality.

“My overriding concern is that with traffic using the route I have described, it means that even more vehicles will be negotiating the hazardous ‘Kennels Crossroad’ on the A153.

“This crossing is a notorious accident hotspot.

“Indeed, only a few weeks or so ago, a motorcyclist tragically lost his life in a collision at this junction.

“I appreciate that this may not be an easy problem to solve, but perhaps some sort of signage could be put in place to indicate that there is no through route to the coast from Baumber?

“Hopefully, we can avoid further casualties on the A153 and indeed within the villages of Hemingby and Belchford.”

Mr Perren received an email reply from Coun Marfleet who said he agreed with many of the issues he had highlighted.

He pledged to raise them with Highways officers at County Hall.

In Hemingby, resident Julian Fairchild confirmed many people were concerned about the increasing speed and volume of traffic.

Mr Fairchild, who is also a parish councillor, said he welcomed the speed checks but admitted lit was difficult to find a solution to reduce the number of vehicles.

He said the parish council had raided a number of traffic concerns with the county council and would support any scheme to make local roads safer.

Horncastle based PCSO Nigel Wass confirmed officers were aware of traffic concerns in several villages, including Belchford and Hemingby.

He confirmed speed checks were being held this week, but added any measures to the number of vehicles was a matter for Lincolnshire County Council.