Sutton Bridge A17 roundabout to feature fiberglass boat with work starting soon by Lincolnshire County Council

Work will soon be underway at a village roundabout to help improve visitor’s first impressions as they enter Lincolnshire.

Two wooden boats will soon be placed on the Sutton Bridge A17 roundabout as a project undertaken by Coun Jack Tyrrell over the last two years comes to fruition.

Lincolnshire County Council is due to start work on the A17/Bridge Road site roundabout on Friday September 13, as part of the project, which will now use fibreglass boats.

Coun Tyrell, who sits on both South Holland District and Lincolnshire County Councils, said: “We are trading the wooden boats for a fibreglass boat and having a drawing drawn up.

“The area will be cleared and the boat will be put on the island.

“This has been ongoing for nearly two years so I am pleased work is starting soon.”

The special feature is part of efforts being made to improve visitors’ first impressions into the village and the whole county.

Concerned residents in the village had previously expressed that the entrance to the village from Norfolk is a let down and ruining what should be a picturesque gateway into Lincolnshire.

Originally, Coun Tyrell had found two ‘perfect’ wooden boats and was given the green light to go ahead with the project by LCC.

He said: “I wanted something as people came over the bridge entering South Holland and lit up all year round and at Christmas.

“We have had permission to work on the roundabout and clean it.”

Travelling from Norfolk across Sutton Bridge should be an attractive experience and an enticing opportunity to get people to visit the village but residents do not believe this is the case and brought the issue up at a previous parish council meeting.

Villagers have cited dog mess, rubbish in bus shelters untidy kerbs and the grotspot Bridge Hotel are giving the wrong impression for visitors to the area at a time when when it is hoped that more may come to walk the new King Charles III England Coastal Path sections from Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge and Skegness.

Lincolnshire County Council will assist with the project by tidying up the roundabout and providing a source of electricity and has been contacted for comment.

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