Parking spaces in Spalding town centre could be removed under new rules proposed by Lincolnshire County Council to stop vehicles accessing Broad Street, Market Place and Hall Place

Parking spaces could be removed from the town centre as officials re-write the rules governing Spalding’s much ignored pedestrian zone.

Lincolnshire County Council is currently going out to consultation with businesses in Spalding town centre to get their views on changes to the traffic regulation order - in a bid to tighten up the rules which prevent vehicles from entering the pedestrian zone.

Other changes proposed include providing more disabled parking, revoking taxi ranks and limited waiting. The consultation will run until August 23 and businesses can share their views by emailing: TRO@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Under the current rules, vehicles are not supposed to enter Hall Place and Market Place between 10am and 4pm on Monday to Saturday and on market days.

Spalding Town Forum conducted a survey last year to find out what people thought of the TRO - and the majority of the 815 people who responded want to see no general vehicle access on weekdays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm. They also wanted a clear rule to be enforced.

A barrier is also due to be erected in the town centre in a bid to prevent vehicle access.

Details of the changes has been set out in a letter to town centre businesses by highways officers.

It states: “Concerns have been raised in relation to the number of vehicles accessing and parking within streets subjected to pedestrianisation in Spalding town centre.

“This undermines the amenity value of the area and presents a potential hazard to pedestrians. It is therefore proposed to update the details contained in the traffic regulation orders to clarify access rights and parking restrictions, which will assist in their future enforcement.”

Proposals include a prohibition of driving to restrict access for vehicles between Sheep Market and Hall Place at all times.

The letter adds: “Alongside the proposed amendments to the vehicular access to Broad Street, Market Place and Hall Place, a review of parking provision has taken place in these streets and on others in the surrounding area.

“The aim is to provide more disabled parking and additional loading facilities and to relocate existing on-street parking out of the pedestrian zone.”

It is also proposed to revoke the limited waiting bay in Broad Street and introduce a 24-hour waiting restriction and no loading from 10am - 4pm.

Highways are also looking at into introducing a 24-hour no waiting restriction and no loading from 10am-4pm in Bridge Street, Market Place and Red Lion Street.

The existing taxi rank in Hall Place could be revoked and 24-hour waiting and no loading between 10am-4pm restrictions being applied.

Sheep Market could be getting a new disabled parking bay while sections of the limited waiting bay could be revoked.

A goods vehicle loading only bay and relocated disabled parking could be placed in Red Lion Street.

The taxi rank in Double Street could be revoked and a new disabled and limited waiting bays could be introduced.

What do you think of the proposals? Share your views in the comments below.