The county council’s bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund has now been submitted for road improvements in the south east of the county. The bid is being boosted with letters of support from business leaders, local MPs and all councils across Greater Lincolnshire.

Every highways authority in England can submit one project from their area to the Levelling Up Fund by 18 June. The council’s submission aims to reduce congestion in Boston and along the A16 corridor- a key route for the agri-food industry.

Cllr Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“These transport routes are key for freight travel across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire, but also important for local people travelling between Boston and Spalding. We welcome the government’s commitment to ensure every part of the country gets the funding it needs. Ongoing investment in improved transport infrastructure is a priority for Greater Lincolnshire, connecting our trading markets and communities.”

The detail of the bid includes:

· A16 / Marsh Lane Junction: Construction of a dedicated free-flow lane for A16 northbound traffic and enhanced non-motorised user crossing across Marsh Lane arm;

· A16 / Station Road Junction: Enhancement to a fully signalised crossroads and widening and lengthening of both the A16 approaches to provide dedicated lanes for accessing both A151 arms;

· A16 / B1180 Junction: Widening of the junction extent to provide two lanes within circulatory and A16 southbound and northbound approaches as well as providing two-lane exits on both A16 arms;

· A16 / A151 Junction: Widening of junction to add additional circulatory lane and provision of a new 3m cycling and walking bridge to improve access to central Spalding;

· Wyberton Low Road Active Mode Improvements – Boston: Provision of cycle tracks on Lon-don Road, upgraded signalised crossing over the A16, 20mph speed limit with traffic calming measures along Wyberton Low Road and a shared use footpath. The scheme will address the conflict between cycle users and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on Marsh Lane through Riverside Industrial Estate; and

· A151 Camel Gate Junction Active Mode Improvements – Spalding: Provision of a two-way segregated cycle track on the east side of Camel Gate, signalised crossing, widening of the exist-ing shared use path on Holbeach Road and to improve connections to the Springfield Outlet area are reduce reliance on private car journeys.

South Holland District Council Leader Gary Porter said: “The County Council’s bid for investment in the A16, which has been developed with the involvement of the district, is positive news for all of South Holland. A large number of our businesses rely on the road to support their operations, especially our food and horticultural sectors where the timely delivery and dispatch of produce is essential for jobs and productivity.

“The improvements sought around Spalding are long awaited and, if approved by the Government, will make a big contribution to our future plans and ambitions as we move out of the pandemic. I would like to thank Councillor Hill and the county council team for their work on this bid, and to our officers at the District Council for their support and assistance with it.”

Cllr Richard Davies, portfolio holder for highways and transport and the county council, said:

“Improving these routes opens up further investment opportunities, but also strongly benefits residents in this area. With improved walking and cycling facilities and reduced traffic congestion, the proposed bid complements other local transport and renewal projects underway or planned.

As a county council, we may only be able to bid for one project from this particular fund, but our developing countywide transport plan will offer ambitious and forward-thinking travel solutions like this for all of our communities.”

Commenting on the bid, MP for Boston and Skegness Matt Warman said: “This proposal will unlock the start of a much needed wider programme of road improvements in the Boston area. For too long we have known that unpredictable congestion on Boston’s main arteries costs our businesses time and money and causes huge frustration to local road users. I am pleased to see the County Council bid focusing on delivering improvements and look forward to continuing to work with them to develop a much more comprehensive proposal to access further Government funding.”