Spalding campaigners Pedals say they only wish to be constructive and save taxpayers cash after Lincolnshire County Council complains about 80 inquiries

Cycling campaigners say they have to keep ‘nagging’ in order to get answers after highways bosses have complained about the number of inquiries coming from the group.

Lincolnshire County Council’s highways team has said that it has received a total of 80 inquiries from Spalding cycle action group Pedals in the last 16 months.

David Jones, Pedals chairman insists his group only wishes to be ‘constructive’ - but have had to submit so many inquiries in order to get responses over issues they have raised with projects such as the McDonald’s roundabout.

The group has been highlighting the dangers felt by cyclists and pedestrians crossing the new roundabout - which has been made widened with additional entry and exit lanes as part of a £20million improvement to the A16.

In responding to our recent inquiries about the group’s concerns about the roundabout, Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways, said: “Pedals has been in touch with us on a regular basis since our plans for improving Springfield (McDonald’s) roundabout were released, and we are continuing to respond to their enquiries relating to this and other projects.

“Over the past 16 months, we’ve dealt with 22 complaints; 16 customer service enquiries; 28 Freedom of Information Act requests; and 14 responses to the MP relating to queries from Pedals, in addition to numerous FixMyStreet enquiries. Our project team also met with members of the group in-person at Springfields Roundabout in Spring 2024.

“Needless to say, we’re disappointed that Pedals feel we are not listening to their concerns, as we have been extremely responsive to them.

“We will continue to engage with members of the public via the appropriate channels, including reporting faults on FixMyStreet. We have also encouraged Pedals to contact the ombudsman if they feel we haven’t provided sufficient information in response to their queries.”

Mr Jones said that his group had spotted snags with the McDonald’s roundabout early on and wanted to share the experiences of local cyclists.

He also stated that they had a really ‘good’ site meeting with the engineers on the roundabout but received the impression that the plans had already been done so that was how it was going to be.

The group was pleased to have been consulted about plans to install a link between Holbeach Road and Springfields along Coronation Channel. And Mr Jones feels this will relieve Camelgate as an approach to the shopping centre by pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedals - which has also raised concerns about moving a crossing point in Holbeach Road - are calling for the council to start to consult them before starting work on schemes.

Mr Jones said: “ At that point a constructive conversation could have taken place - and we would recommend that procedure for future developments. If that happens, we shall be less critical when things don't happen exactly as we had imagined.

“By seeking our input at an early stage, they could save some taxpayers' money. Their basic problem is that they come from far-away Lincoln and my guess is that those who make the decisions are non-cyclists.

“Karen Cassar is right - but the numbers of our approaches that she quotes are in no small measure down to us having to repeat comments that have been ignored or misinterpreted. If only LCC would accept that we wish only to be constructive. We are nice people really!”