Concerned Lincolnshire coach driver fears work on Spalding’s A16 Springfields roundabout is causing ‘an accident waiting to happen’ as council acknowledges ‘near misses’
An experienced coach driver is concerned there is ‘an accident waiting to happen’ at a Spalding town roundabout where major roadworks are taking place.
John Fisher, from Swaton, spoke out after recently using the Springfields roundabout on the A16 in Spalding - which is half way through a 12-month upgrade as part of a £20 million Levelling Up scheme.
Work is being carried out by Lincolnshire County Council which has acknowledged they are aware of some ‘near misses’.
Mr Fisher said: “There is going to be one hell of an accident.
“There were so many lorries in the wrong lane and driving without care and attention.
“I can see what the council are trying to do but they have stuffed up again.”
Bosses recently outlined the plans to continue laying the new road surface, culvert construction as well as drainage and earthworks in the northwest corner.
Mr Fisher, 62, drives a 40ft coach, has more than 35 years driving experience and holds a class 1 HGV licence.
He said: “If that is the way to Springfields it needs to be looked at again because it is badly designed as the size of vehicles cannot use the roundabout safely.
“I've had a major accident in the past and I would hate anybody else to have an accident.
“It wrecks your life, whether it is a motorbike or car, it ruins your life.”
Ongoing traffic restrictions include 24/7 barriers at the roundabout, with the current two-lane entries and single-lane exits, ongoing narrowed roundabout lanes and 24/7 barriers at the roundabout, with the current two-lane entries and single-lane exits.
There appears to be confusion, especially travelling from Holbeach to Spalding, where many motorists appear to have missed signs outlining that the left lane is for left turns only.
Mr Fisher said: “A builder’s van was in the wrong lane and cut me up.
“These people have never driven a large vehicle and all I got was a finger out of the window.
“My coach was empty of passengers thankfully but at school times it is busy.”
Mr Fisher says he has brought up his concerns with Lincolnshire County Council but had no response.
Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways, said: “The lane designations on the A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout have temporarily changed as part of our ongoing improvements and, although we’re aware of some near misses, we’re not aware of any recorded accidents since we started our works nine months ago.
“Earlier this week, we reduced the A151 west leg down to a single lane and will be moving to single lane approaches at all legs during week commencing July 22.
“This is to ensure safe working space while the team builds the new central island. This will remove any confusion around lane discipline but could mean slightly longer queues.
“As a result, we ask people to leave extra time for their journeys.
“In the meantime, we encourage all drivers using the roundabout to take note of and follow the yellow and black road signs indicating correct lane designations. This will help ensure the safety of everyone using the roundabout.
"We also encourage drivers to be aware of other vehicles already on the roundabout, as they may not be signalling correctly or at all, or not travelling in the correct lane."
Lincolnshire County Council highlighted that each roundabout approach has signage showing the temporary lane discipline to follow.
The Levelling Up scheme has also this week led to the eight-week closure of the road leading from the B1180 ‘Greencell roundabout’ towards Pinchbeck, which sparked traffic issues on the first morning as motorists were diverted through Pinchbeck and Surfleet.
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