Crowland's Radar Corner controversial plan placed on hold

Plans to implement a controversial traffic trial at Radar Corner in Crowland has been put on hold thanks to people power.

Lincolnshire County Council's Highways department were due to start an 18-month trial at the Hull's Drove junction with the A16 this month but have confirmed that it is now on hold.

But due to the volume of adverse comments, a decision of whether or not to proceed with the proposal will be decided by the county council's Planning and Regulation Committee.

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The proposal to introduce water filled barriers would prevent cars from crossing between Hull's Drove and James Road. These would also prevent traffic going south on the A16 turning into James Road.

Local farmers along with people living in the Whaplode Drove area have been raising concerns about the barriers.

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: "Following on from the valuable feedback we've recently received, the start of this trial has been put on hold temporarily.

"Before progressing any further, our Planning and Regulation Committee will review the trial proposal during their meeting in early March.

"Once we've received the committee's comments, we will determine the most appropriate way forward for this junction."

Coun Nigel Pepper, who sits on both the county and South Holland District Councils, has been running an awareness campaign on the proposals.

He said: "I think they were surprised with the amount of adverse comments and it has been put hold pending a decision by the Planning and Regulation Committee.

"There is no great rush for the trial to go ahead so I think this is the correct way of going about it by having a democratic decision.

"But don't think that is the end of the matter, people should not sit on the laurrels. They should still send in their objection letters by January 17."

The county council had previously stated that the temporary, water-filled barriers will be installed to stop some manoeuvres and reduce the chances of a collision.

Four people have been killed near the spot in nine years.

Coun Pepper said that the majority of objections to the proposal have come from people living on the eastern side of the A16, such as Dawsdale.

He said: "They would be unable to cross the A16 directly so they would have to turn left and come to Crowland or have to travel cross country to Spalding via Moulton Chapel."

Coun Pepper also added that junction is the 46th worst junction in Lincolnshire and that a feasibility study found that a roundabout would be the preferred option.

The former Crowland firefighter said: "I have seen many terrible accidents and collisions on the A16 and at that junction so road safety is something I am passionate about.

"Since I became a county councillor, not a day goes by without someone contacting me about that junction."

The NFU has also lodged concerns about the trial, which include the impact of diversions on harvesting operations along with placing slow moving agricultural traffic on the A16.

South Holland branch chairman Chris Carter said: "We are very relieved some common sense may be starting to be applied.

"If it had been implemented, it would have made that junction even more dangerous."