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Spalding foot bridge closure protest




Disappointed residents have vowed to protest the closure of a busy foot bridge - which has now been given a short stay of execution.

Two Plank Bridge, which spans the Vernatt’s Drain between Pinchbeck and Spalding, was due to shut on Saturday for 18 months - but that closure has now been delayed.

The move had drawn fierce opposition, with a 1,000-signature petition drawn up from people baffled at why it needs to shut for so long - and worried about schoolchildren needing to walk along the busy Pinchbeck Road.

Richard Davies (left) and Sir John Hayes with residents at Two Plank Bridge (49178406)
Richard Davies (left) and Sir John Hayes with residents at Two Plank Bridge (49178406)

The delay does at least mean pupils can use the bridge for the last few days before the school summer holidays - but the decision was likely to be needed anyway given that land deals have not be signed to begin work on the Spalding Western Relief Road.

The road project, due to begin this summer, will involve replacing the current wooden bridge with a larger steel structure but the council says it will have to shut the bridge for 18 months for health and safety reasons.

John Batterham, of Angelica Drive, said residents would go along to protest on the date of the eventual bridge closure.

He said: “We are going to make our point that we are not happy with the duration of the closure. It will get back to Lincoln.”

He added: “If they put the closure date back it will put the reopening date back too.

“This delay suits the council as well, they are not really giving us anything.”

Mr Batterham conducted his own survey at the bridge - counting about 330 users across a 13 hour period.

He said asking people to walk along Pinchbeck Road - where there are building works and a lack of footpath on both sides throughout - is a ‘recipe for disaster’.

The announcement of the closure delay came after residents and MP Sir John Hayes met with executive county councillor Richard Davies at the site on Friday and presented him with the petition.

Sir John said the delay was the ‘right decision’ and added: “It is a small victory but an important one for the people going to and from school.

“We need to make sure the closure is not for a minimum amount of time.”

Coun Davies, executive member for highways, said: “After meeting with the local MP and petitioners from the area, we’ve taken the decision to not close Two Plank Bridge until the summer holidays have started – so towards the end of July or in August.

“This is good news for children and parents since it means bridge and path will remain open for the final week of the school term, making it easier to get back and forth.

“This will also allow the project team extra time to finalise land agreements for the scheme’s north section, which we expect to have signed and completed very soon.

“Once we have a confirmed date for when the closure at Two Plank will start, we’ll share it straight away to ensure everyone that uses this route has as much time as possible to prepare.”

Residents want a new path to be prioritised and built before the road.



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