Finally! Badly pitted key route into Sleaford set for reconstruction and safety improvements
The B1517 Grantham Road in Sleaford is set to be reconstructed this summer as part of a wider scheme to improve safety and road conditions – but it will mean some traffic disruption due to road closures.
The uneven and patched main road has been cause for many complaints as it steadily broke up and decayed over the winter to the extent that highways crews have installed warning signs to motorists about its bumpy surface.
Coun David East, executive member for highways, said: “This important scheme is part of our 2026 Strategic Road Surfacing programme and will address deteriorating road conditions on a key route through Sleaford, helping to improve safety for all users.
“As well as rebuilding the road here, this important project will include upgrades to the traffic lights at South Gate and Grantham Road, along with the construction of a new puffin crossing on (Grantham Road) near the London Road junction (and the Spar shop). This will not only bring the signals here into the modern era, but also help traffic flow more smoothly through the area.
“By combining road rebuilding with upgrades to crossings and traffic lights, we’re taking a comprehensive approach that will benefit both motorists and pedestrians for years to come.
“Working in a co-ordinated way like this not only saves us money, allowing further reinvestment into other parts of the road network, but it also minimises disruption by reducing the need for multiple visits to the same location.”
Coun Steve Clegg, county councillor for Sleaford, said: “The condition of Grantham Road has been a long-standing concern for residents, and I know many people will be pleased to see these much-needed works finally getting underway. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we’ve worked to bring this scheme forward.
“The highways team will be working hard to deliver these improvements, using over 8,000 tonnes of road-building materials as part of the scheme.
“Once complete, people will notice a significant improvement in the quality of their journeys in and out of town, with a safer, smoother and more reliable road surface.”
Work is scheduled to begin on Monday July 13 and continue for up to ten weeks and will stretch from the junction with the A15 roundabout to the South Gate/Boston Road junction in town.
A combination of phased daytime road closures (from 7am to 6pm) and phased night-time road closures (6pm to 4am) will be in place for the duration of the project, weekdays only.
The level crossing at Southgate will also be closed to vehicular traffic throughout the project, meaning local bus services will be affected by the roadworks too. Details will be shared by the bus operator once finalised.
Diversions will be via the A15, Holdingham Roundabout and Lincoln Road of Boston Road through Sleaford town centre
Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times, says the council.
Coun East added: “This project is part of the county council’s £12 million investment into maintaining Lincolnshire’s most strategically important roads and ensuring they remain safe and resilient for all users.
“I want to thank anyone affected by these roadworks for bearing with us as we work towards achieving that goal.”