Questions raised over major route closure in Boston

The Sluice Bridge, Fydell Street and Argyle Street will be barred to through traffic from Saturday to Monday, July 7, as a result of the work.

Disruption will also be found to the east of the Sluice Bridge during the same time period, with Norfolk Street closed from its junction with Witham Place (although open to traffic to and from Tattershall Road).

Then, next Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, Tattershall Road will be closed at its junction with Norfolk Street/Sluice Bridge.

Coun Carol Taylor, member of Boston Borough Council for the Witham ward, said she felt the work would have had less of an impact if it had been put back a few weeks to the start of the school summer holidays when traffic levels are typically lighter.

She said: “For such major roadworks, it is a pity they didn’t reconsider.”

She also said residents and businesses had told her they felt as though the council could have informed them of the impending works sooner, giving them more time to prepare for the disruption.

She said: “They all said they realise it’s got to be done. They just can’t understand why they haven’t known sooner.”

Lincolnshire County Council has yet to comment on these questions.

The closures are to allow Lincolnshire County Council to improve the drainage system and refurbish the pedestrian crossing points at the junction of Fydell Street, Carlton Road and Argyle Street, and re-surface Fydell Street, the Sluice Bridge, Tattershall Road, Norfolk Street, Irby Street and Witham Place.

The National Grid also want to carry out gas mains replacement work in the area.

Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, the council has stressed, and the work will be phased to minimise disruption.

Satish Shah, head of highways at the council, said: “This is a very important piece of work that will improve several of the major roads in Boston. We have planned this work to coincide with another project being carried out in the same area by National Grid so we can minimise disruption to local people as much as possible.

“I would, however, like to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone inconvenienced by these road closures.”