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Spalding traffic rules under spotlight – as time runs out to have your say




Politicians and police came under fire over much-flouted Spalding town centre traffic rules – as people are urged to take part in a key survey to decide what happens next.

David Jones, from cycle action group Pedals, spoke out over the lack of action over vehicles ignoring the restrictions in Hall Place and Market Place during this week’s Spalding Town Forum.

Under the current Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) vehicles are prohibited from driving through the town centre from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and on market days – but this rule is regularly ignored with cars and vehicles parking in front of the South Holland Centre.

Cars regularly park up in - and travel through - Spalding town centre when it is 'closed'
Cars regularly park up in - and travel through - Spalding town centre when it is 'closed'

Spalding Town Forum is currently running a consultation to get people’s views on the current rules – and the survey closes on Sunday.

Mr Jones told Tuesday’s forum meeting that Pedals had tried to get Sir John Hayes to get the police, county council and district council together but added that the MP gets the ‘same letter back’ from the police. Mr Jones felt that the police were ‘marking their own homework’.

Speaking in the council chamber he said: “We have got to get people together and they are refusing.

“We have two letters via Sir John from the police and every time. All they tell us is that in 2021 they issued 27 tickets for people driving through the town centre. They could issue 27 tickets if they did all their work in one day.

“Issuing 27 tickets two years ago is not good enough for us in South Holland.

“What is the point of having a Police and Crime Commissioner (Marc Jones)? We could spend that money on three police officers.”

The often-ignored sign in Broad Street that is supposed to stop access to Market Place and Hall Place during the daytime
The often-ignored sign in Broad Street that is supposed to stop access to Market Place and Hall Place during the daytime

New chairman of the forum Rob Gibson appealed for more people to take part in the consultation, which had been requested in the previous term of the town forum by his predecessor, Roger Gambba-Jones.

He said there have been two action days in the town to get responses from people - with hard copies of the questionnaire available at the South Holland Centre and at the Spalding campus of Boston College.

He said: “We would like to hear from every angle - anyone that cycles into town, anyone that drives in.

“Business views are just as important as everyone else. We need to hear from local businesses.”

He added that the forum would debate the results of the survey and discuss ideas for the future of the town.

Coun Gibson added: “If the survey returns that people want more enforcement we could look at CCTV, bollards closed gates.

“We will have those discussions here and produce a report for cabinet to make a decision.”

Spalding St Mary’s ward member Dave Ashby questioned why the police do not patrol the town.

Coun Gibson explained that enforcement does not fall under the remit of the traffic wardens and that PSCOs have been educating drivers.

He added: “If you went to the police station and asked the inspector ‘can you do that (enforce the TRO) every day?’, the answer will be ‘we don’t have the manpower’.”

Coun Mark Le Sage called for the town forum to have a meeting ‘sharpish’ after the survey is conducted.

He said: “It is so important to the community.

“We need to have a discussion at the earliest opportunity. The town is not doing so well and we need to do something.”

So far more than 580 responses have been received to the survey.

It can be completed online here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Spaldingtowncentre and paper copies are also available.

Surveys in alternative formats are available by emailing Spalding.TownForum@sholland.gov.uk



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