Road near Lincoln where school bus crashed will have speed limit slashed by a third

Traffic will be limited to 40mph on a road where there have been numerous crashes, including one involving a school bus.

The limit will apply along Meadow Lane, a busy country road between North Hykeham and the Brant Road area of Lincoln.

Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee approved the reduction from 60mph at a meeting on Monday (December 2).

More than 700 people had signed a petition asking for a speed reduction following a 2021 incident when a school bus tipped into a hedge, causing a 12-year-old boy to break his arm.

Sally, who organised the petition, said after the meeting that local people would welcome the reduction.

“Families and parents will be relieved by this change and will feel much safer,” she said.

“We see at least two accidents on the road every year.

“Local residents find it hard to get in and out of their homes. Most drivers cross over their driveway at high speeds.

“We also worry about children walking and biking to school.”

There have been nine incidents in which people were injured on the road in the last five years.

Ward councillor Tom Dyer (Con) also spoke in favour of the change.

“This is something residents in North Hykeham are keen to see implemented,” he told the committee.

“On the North Hykeham side, there’s a residential area with young families.

“It’s a key route, but it’s narrow and not lit. It’s absolutely essential to make the road as safe as possible.

“There have been a number of accidents and one fatality already.

“This is one of the roads that will greatly benefit from the North Hykeham relief road if approved in the future.”

A speed survey showed that the average speed on the road is currently around 45mph.

There had been one objection from a member of the public, who said 40mph was unreasonably low and that it should be 50mph.

However, committee members unanimously voted to approve the lower speed limit.

Coun Ian Carrington (Con) said: “There are two severe corners which repeatedly cause problems.

“A lower limit would be in the interest of all roads users, including pedestrians and cyclists.”

Coun Marianne Overton (Ind) agreed it would lead to a “a better quality of life” for local residents.