Wansford divided by tier 4 boundary which lies at the bridge over the River Nene

The 500 residents of Wansford have found themselves divided between two tiers for the past few days.

Those living north of the River Nene come under Peterborough unitary authority and so are in the new tier 4 and face the toughest restrictions.

Those living south of the river are in Huntingdonshire, and therefore tier 2 until the whole of Cambridgeshire is moved to tier 4 on Boxing Day.

Wansford resident Darren Elding, 48, lives with his family in a house overlooking the river.

“We’re now in tier 4, but the field where we usually walk the dog is the other side of the river, in tier 2,” he said.

“The coffee shop in the village is open, but we’re not allowed to go to it.

“There has obviously got to be a boundary somewhere, and for us it’s in the middle of the bridge.”

Darren added that common sense meant people are still crossing the bridge, but that people do seem to be exercising caution.

“We rarely see anyone in the field where we walk the dog, let alone get near to anyone,” he said.

“It’s about knowing the risk and being sensible. We’re certainly not going to be going shopping in Stamford just because the shops are shut in Peterborough.”

Similarly, Burghley Park, a popular place for Stamfordians to stroll, is now in tier 4, as is Deeping Gate, over the bridge from tier 3 Market Deeping.

Other villages now in tier 4 include Wittering, Thornhaugh, Barnack, Bainton, Ufford, Southorpe, Helpston, Glinton, Etton, Northborough, Maxey, Marholm and Castor and Ailsworth.

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