Highways bosses celebrate successful completion of Sleaford Rugby Club junction improvements

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “This is fantastic news for the county, and we want to thank everyone for remaining patient and bearing with us while these works were being carried out. As a result of the team’s hard work, we now have new traffic signals and lanes on all approaches to the junction.

“This project has been a massive undertaking, with over 12,000 workforce hours spent, half a mile and of new drainage installed and over 3,000 tonnes of tarmac used.

“Our focus now will be on getting ready to start major improvement works at Holdingham Roundabout early next year, where we will be adding new approach lanes and installing traffic signals at some of the roundabout’s approaches.

“Once both schemes are complete, people can expect less congestion, increased safety and better journey times when travelling in and around Sleaford.”

The Sleaford Rugby Club junction works started at the end of May 2020 and were carried out by Eurovia Contracting.

The total cost of the rugby club junction and Holdingham Roundabout projects is £8.25m. This is being funded by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, North Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and developer contributions.

The project has seen:

• 10 new traffic signals installed

• 4,500 tonnes of material excavated

• Over half a mile of new kerbing installed

• Nearly two and a half miles of new white lining painted

• 21 new street lighting columns installed

• Five new pedestrian crossings installed

• Five new manholes installed

The safety improvements have been particularly welcomed by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, Spokesmen John Siddle said: “We have a long history of data from this junction and welcome the completion of the work that has been carried out to make it safer.

“In the last 10 years, there have been 21 injury collisions at that junction, resulting in seven serious injuries, which can often be life changing. There have also been 27 slight injuries, although we should not downplay these injuries as they often take weeks, if not months, to recover from and could easily have been more serious.

“The changes made to the junction mean it will now be traffic light controlled, have a reduced speed limit and more defined space, making it easier for those larger vehicles using it.

“We believe these measures will reduce the significant amount of injuries that occur here each year, making it safer for all.”

Leader of North Kesteven District Council Coun Richard Wright said: “It’s exciting to see these improvements to the Sleaford Rugby Club junction now complete, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while the works took place.

“Credit should also go to Lincolnshire County Council, the highways team and the contractors for moving these works along despite the difficulties posed by coronavirus, for the benefit of local residents and motorists.

“The enhancements will help keep people moving and reduce delays, as will the next stage of work at Holdingham Roundabout when complete. Both of these schemes do more than improve our roads – they’re about investing in our communities and the local economy.”

Pat Doody, chairman of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “These are extremely important infrastructure schemes for the future growth of Sleaford and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP is very pleased to be investing £2m of Growth Deal funding which will enable significant new employment and housing opportunities for the town.”

Jamie Muntus, Site Manager for Eurovia Contracting North, said: “It has been a genuine pleasure to work collaboratively with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver this scheme that clearly will be a great benefit to the local community and county as a whole. The current climate has brought challenges to this project, however, with a great team on board, and the support of local people and businesses, we have been able to deliver this important scheme without compromising the safety of our workforce or the quality of the scheme.”