£200,000 funding bid approved for new puffin crossing in Spalding

Councillors have approved a £200,000 funding bid for a new puffin crossing.

The crossing will connect Bridge Street to Church Street, by the River Welland in Spalding.

On Monday, Lincolnshire County Council’s planning and regulation committee was informed that a survey justified a zebra crossing, but it was unfeasible due to nearby traffic lights and the one-way flow.

The report noted that a recent road safety audit found no concerns with the puffin crossing proposal — and no injury accidents in the past three years.

In a brief discussion, committee chairman councillor Ian Fleetwood (Con) said: “We’ve taken into account the position of this and the relationship between a zebra and a puffin crossing and we accept that a puffin is potentially the way forward at this point.”

The decision supports Spalding councillor Gary Taylor’s (Con) push to enhance street safety and journeys in town.

Coun Taylor requested a crossing after reports of accidents and difficulties travelling from Bridge Street to Church Street.

The councillor, who is also on South Holland District Council, has met with residents and cycling groups.

He told LincsOnline: “It is a major junction and it is uncontrolled for pedestrians. If you look at the rest of Spalding there are controlled crossings but at that junction there is nothing.

“It is a major access for the town centre and Ayscoughfee and schools.

“I have heard from people with mobility issues who struggled with that road.”

A puffin crossing will cost £200,000 plus £10,000 for feasibility and design, and will need the council to make a funding bid.

The committee also approved rules to stop parking at a Little London bus stop, which had been obstructing public transport.

An objection was raised about the loss of on-street parking, claiming existing measures were ignored.

However, council officer Jan Gibson said: “Formalising the bus stop will deter parking within it and enable us to enforce as required, so the buses providing this regular service will be able to access the raised kerb provided for the benefit of vulnerable passengers and traffic flow.”

Both measures passed unanimously.