Lincolnshire mayor says incorrect Spalding signs will not replaced until new year

Incorrect signs detailing new traffic rules in a town centre will not be replaced until next year, says Lincolnshire’s deputy mayor.

Coun Ingrid Sheard says that Lincolnshire County Council will not be correcting the mistakes on the pedestrian zone signs in Spalding’s Herring Lane until ‘shortly into the new year’.

The authority’s deputy leader, Coun Rob Gibson, told the last Spalding Town Forum meeting that the council had made a mistake on the signs, which say no parking is allowed during the day, instead of 10am to 4pm.

Lincolnshire County Council has recently re-written the traffic restriction order (TRO) which governs vehicle movements in Broad Street, Hall Place and Market Place after the previous pedestrian zone rules were repeatedly ignored.

A survey was conducted by Spalding Town Forum in 2023 to find out what people thought of the TRO - and the majority of the 815 people who responded wanted to see no general vehicle access on weekdays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm. They also wanted clear rules to be enforced.

Coun Sheard, who represents Spalding on both Lincolnshire County and South Holland District Councils, stated in a letter to this publication: “Having highlighted the fact that the signage at Herring Lane is incorrect for the traffic regulation order that has recently been put in place for Spalding town centre, I have been informed that shortly into the new year the signage will be replaced.

“Whilst this seems a long time it is far quicker than the original TRO (traffic restriction order) and hopefully will clarify for those who have been caused confusion by the signage that is currently in place some clarification.

“The traffic regulation order is in place between the hours of 10am and 4pm when the town centre is a pedestrian area. Any parking in the town centre during these times is illegal and will be ticketed. Before 10am and after 4pm, parking within the town is allowed as normal.”

We have approached Lincolnshire County Council for comment.