Frustration has been voiced after one of the main routes into Boston was closed on the same day that the town centre was playing host to a popular, annual public event.

On Sunday (July 19), Boston’s Strongest and Boston Food Fest returned to the Market Place for a third consecutive year.

However, anyone travelling to the event from the south of the town found the A16 Spalding Road closed while Network Rail carried out track and fencing works.

The road was closed from 9.30pm on Saturday through until 5.30am on Monday, and reportedly caused to ‘gridlock’ on other routes.

The log lift was one of five challenges put to competitors during the Boston's Strongest event.

placeholder image — The log lift was one of five challenges put to competitors during the Boston's Strongest event.

Much has been made recently about how public events can support the town centre by boosting visitor numbers – Coun Dale Broughton, leader of Boston Borough Council, spoke of it here in January, while Coun Mike Gilbert, the deputy leader, discussed it here in March.

Boston’s Strongest and Boston Food Fest is a combined event; Boston’s Strongest is organised by the town’s Mayhem Gym, while Boston Food Fest is put together by the borough council.

Tom Chenery, who runs Mayhem Gym with wife Sarah, said he was ‘disappointed’ over the road closure, but felt the event was still a success.

“Fortunately, we still enjoyed huge crowds and the event felt busy throughout, so we didn’t notice a significant impact on the day itself”, he said. “However, it does leave you wondering just how much busier it could have been had access to the town not been affected.”

Network Rail was carrying out maintenance on the A16 Spalding Road on Sunday. Picture: Google Street View

‘Many people disappointed’

When the Standard asked for a comment from the borough council, Coun Broughton provided a lengthy statement, detailing the council’s conversations with Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways team, but also its frustration at the road closure.

He said: “Boston Borough Council applied to Lincolnshire County Council Highways on February 10, 2026, for the road closure and Market Place suspensions required as part of the event organisation process.

“For major events such as this, detailed applications are submitted to an independent Safety Advisory Group, which includes partner agencies such as Lincolnshire County Council Highways, Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

Some of those who were able to make the event.

“The council submitted the event notification form to the Safety Advisory Group on March 6, 2026, followed by a more detailed event management plan on April 29, 2026.

“This is a well-established and growing event, which had been advertised for many months.

“The council was unaware of the road closure planned for Sunday, July 19.”

Continuing, he said: “Following the event, I wrote to Lincolnshire County Council on behalf of councillors and residents to express our frustration at the closure of Spalding Road, which affected attendance at Boston’s Strongest and Food Fest.

Backing the scheme, Coun Dale Broughton. Photo LDRS

“We appreciate that disruption from essential works is sometimes unavoidable and that, where possible, such works should be carried out overnight.

“However, the closure caused significant disruption in Boston, with the diversion route leading to gridlock and leaving many people disappointed when they were unable to attend the event. The roadworks once again highlighted the inadequacies of Boston’s road network, where a single road closure can bring the town to a standstill.

“In my letter, I urged Lincolnshire County Council to give serious consideration to investing in road improvement schemes across the Boston area to better support our community.

“Boston Borough Council is proud of the programme of free events it has established to bring people together, support local businesses and attract visitors from further afield into the town centre.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended the event, as well as those who remained patient during the traffic disruption on the day. It was a brilliant day for Boston, and I hope even more people are able to attend next year.”

‘Will always look to work on a Sunday’

Jen Sanders and Rob Hattrell of Evelyn's Bakery, Kirton, with Phoebe Andrews, of Boston, part of the Boston Food Fest celebration.

Ahead of this statement, Lincolnshire County Council gave a response to the closure.

The county council said it was not notified of Boston’s Strongest and Boston Food Fest until May, after the Network Rail works had been planned. A spokesman said: “The dates for these works were arranged in November of last year, and advanced signs have been out at the level crossing location. The majority of level crossing works are carried out overnight, as this reduces disruption to both the railway and the highway network, however there are occasions when a 10-hour nighttime duration is insufficient for Network Rail to carry out all the works required.

“Works such as re-railing do not always allow the road to be safely reopened during the day, especially when concrete curing times are considered.

“When an extended period is required or a closure on a major route, Lincolnshire County Council will always look to work on a Sunday when traffic flows are lower, as has been planned here. The planned Network Rail closure has been visible on One Network since November.”

Network Rail, though, has apologised for the disruption following its work.

A spokesman said: “We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank the local community for their patience while track and fencing maintenance took place in the Boston area over the weekend.

“These essential works were planned months in advance and are vital to improve railway resilience and support smoother, more reliable journeys for years to come.”

A gallery from Boston’s Strongest and Boston Food Fest 2026 can be found here.