Spalding road closure confuses motorists on day one of fortnight-long works

A road closure has been catching out motorists this morning - on day one of fortnight-long works.

LincsOnline witnessed a stream of vehicles forced to carry out U-turns and back up on themselves along Spalding’s Albion Street this morning and causing delays.

And with two lorry drivers among those ignoring - or missing - road closure signs on the entrance to the road along Double Street, traffic was brought to a standstill as these vehicles were forced to turnaround in the narrow street or in the entrance to the Castle Sports Complex car park, metres before where the road is coned off.

Albion Street is a key town route along the bank of the River Welland, used regularly by everyday traffic and commercial vehicles.

Over a ten-minute period we witnessed almost 60 vehicles forced to back up on themselves, including two lorries and a motorbike.

A small number of vehicles also arrived at the sports centre.

The road closure signs on Double Street were also bringing traffic to a standstill as drivers clocked the signs and contemplated their next move, some still taking their chances before having to turn around.

The stretch of Albion Street has been closed as Cadent replace old gas pipes with new plastic ones so houses in the area will be ‘ready for greener gas in the future.’

A spokesperson from Cadent said: “This is an essential project that will keep the gas flowing to the people of Spalding for generations to come.

“What we are doing here is taking a part of a gas pipe out of service as we are making upgrades to our network in other parts of the town that will mean it is no longer needed, owing to it being decades old.

“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we carry out these essential works.”

The road will be shut from today (June 23) until July 7.

Diversion routes have been put in place.