Meeting with Minister Provides Hope for Hawthorn Road Users

Sir Edward Leigh MP has welcomed assurances from the Rt. Hon. John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Transport, following a meeting with local county, district and parish councillors and representatives of the campaign to save Hawthorn Road from closure, about the scheme's funding from central government.

Above: (Left to Right) Mrs. Sally Lidbury, Mr. Peter Moore, a
civil servant, Rt. Hon. John Hayes MP, Minister for Transport,
and Sir Edward Leigh MP

Concern has been raised by local residents that the scheme, as currently proposed, will lead to the closure of Hawthorn Road in Greetwell, just prior to the boundary of the city of Lincoln, having a detrimental effect on the ability of local people to commute to and from Lincoln. The group protesting the closure does not question, nor oppose, the bypass. However, they consider the retention of the road, as a carriage way, essential.

One of the group's spokesmen, Mrs. Sally Lidbury, told the minister:

"Our objective is to seek support from the Department for Transport to facilitate a minor change to the current scheme. We are not here to ask for additional funding, or short-cuts in the policy process. We strongly support the Lincoln Eastern Bypass but object to the closure of Hawthorn Road. We feel that residents will be disproportionally disadvantaged as a result of the closure under current plans."

Following the meeting District Councillor Giles McNeill, who represents the parish of Greetwell where the proposed closure is designated to occur, said:

"I think Lincolnshire County Council have been unsure as to the security, after the end of the current financial year, of the £49.5million being supplied to the project by central government. The minister has been able to reiterate the assurances of the Secretary of State that the money - key to making this project happen - will not automatically disappear in March next year. I am confident that Lincolnshire County Council will want to be absolutely certain that the cost of retaining the use of the road for motor vehicles is not prohibitive, but would expect that a revision is now very much something the county council will want to pursue."

Cllr. Ian Fleetwood, who represents Cherry Willingham and Reepham, at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

"If the money is not going to vanish I can’t see why the county council will not engage with the local residents to see if an affordable option is open to them. The minister was able to point us in the direction of the Local Enterprise Partnership which has just got additional monies from central government, and may be able to support the marginal additional cost of a road bridge, estimated at around £100,000 on the £96million scheme."

Sir Edward Leigh MP said:

"This meeting has been very positive and productive. I welcome the minister's offer to help support the common sense of retaining the vehicular access on Hawthorn Road. I hope to work with Lincoln's Member of Parliament, Karl McCartney, to persuade Lincolnshire County Council to think again and make this minor change and am fully prepared to bid for money from the LEP."

The minister agreed to write to the county council to provide additional details regarding the funding arrangements.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Tractor' Spontaniously Combusts on Washdyke Lane, Nettleham

Remains of the 'Tractor' that caught fire on
Washdyke Lane, Nettleham

Residents of Washdyke Lane, Nettleham have been left shocked after what has been described as a 'tractor' caught fire earlier today. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called to the scene shortly after midday.

According to an eyewitness account the driver of the vehicle was seen running from side-to-side of the engine with a small extinguisher trying to bring flames under control. The tractor’s fuel tank burst, spilling fuel down road, with flames up to twenty feet high, visible from the A46 ring road at its height.

Around lunchtime on Tuesday, 2nd October 2012 the vehicle caught fire and by two o'clock, the road remained closed between the end of Kingsway to the bus-stop and the Highways department had been contacted.

Firemen used two main jets and two breathing apparatus, and extinguished the fire. One fire engine remained on scene to clear out the area. The cause of the fire is still unknown. No one was reportedly injured in the incident.

Passengers on the No. 11 bus, arriving in Nettleham from Lincoln, as they turned on to Washdyke Lane were faced with a scene of carnage on the carriage way.

District Councillor for the Nettleham Ward, Giles McNeill, speaking at the scene, said:

"It seems to have been a very severe fire, and very serious incident. I have spoken with a member of Lincolnshire Police to understand what may have happened here today.

"I am not aware if anyone has been injured at this early stage. I hope that those involved are safe and well and that answers will be forthcoming." 

Two Fatalities Following Car Crash

 A man and a woman were killed in a collision on the A46 north of Lincoln, near Nettleham.

A blue Vauxhall Astra collided with a purple Citroen Xsara between Riseholme Lane and Washdyke Lane, the Lincolnshire Echo today reports.

Riseholme Lane Closure For Two Weeks

Lincolnshire County Council's Highways Department have today announced that:

"It will be necessary to impose a temporary restriction to all vehicular traffic on the road.

"Adequate arrangements will be made to enable pedestrians to access premises in the affected area while works progress."

Riseholme Lane will be closed for what is described as 'essential carriageway widening works' between Monday, 19th April and Friday, 30th April 2010.

The recommended alternative route for this period will be via Grange De Lings, Ermine Street (A15), and Riseholme Lane.

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the Greater Lincoln & Gainsborough Highways Division on 01522 782070.

Giles McNeill said:

"While disruption is never wanted I am sure that local residents and motorist will benefit from the widening of road, what will be unwelcome is if this work results in more traffic passing through Riseholme to avoid the Lincoln By-Pass."

Nettleham Parish Council Actively Try To Improve Traffic Situation

Nettleham Parish Council have been actively trying to improve the traffic situation within the parish. Written representations have been made to the Lincolnshire County Council, Highways Department for the speed restriction on Deepdale Lane to be extended to the verge of the Enterprise Park. Unfortunately these have not met with a positive response and further representations are being made by the Parish Council.

Concerns about speeding have led to the Parish Council agreeing to contribute (along with other parishes) to a mobile speed indicating device of the type seen on the edge of many rural villages. The board will be deployed in the village from time to time by the police, and it is hoped that this immediate reminder to motorists of their speed will mitigate to some extent the speeding problems which are all too regular.

The Parish Council are aware that the inclement winter weather has affected road surfaces around the village. Lincolnshire County Council, Highways have told the council they will repair as quickly as possible problem pot holes. The number to ring at the County Council is 01522 782070 or you can call the Parish Office on 01522 750011 and the council’s staff will pass it on.

Finally, the Council was disappointed that Lincolnshire County Council, Highways Department painted the standard wide yellow lines within our conservation area, when they should have been narrower and paler lines in ‘heritage lemon’. The County Council have stated that nothing can now be done to reduce the impact of the lines.

Freezing Conditions Postpone Lincoln Paving Repairs

Freezing weather has forced the postponement of paving repairs in Lincoln’s Cultural Quarter.

Re-laying of York stone paving was due to commence on a section of Clasketgate, at its junction with High Street, from Monday, 4th January 2010. However, such work requires temperatures of 2 degrees in order for the mortar to set and forecasts for continued cold conditions and snow mean the county council's highways department have had to delay the works.

Mark Welsh, Area Highways Manager, said:

"It is with regret that we must delay this work, but temperatures regularly at and below zero mean the mortar would not set. We would therefore be unable to complete the work once excavation had taken place leading to extended inconvenience to traders and the travelling public. It is therefore better to delay the works until more favourable conditions in order that once started the works can be completed quickly. We will consequently monitor the forecasts closely for the coming week."

All businesses have previously been contacted regarding the works and Highways have informed them of this postponement and the reasons for it. Shoppers are reminded that access to all premises, car parks and businesses will be maintained during the works, when they take place, with temporary traffic diversions signed throughout.

When rescheduled, the work is expected to take approximately two weeks. A safe route for pedestrians will be available at all times.

Accident on A46 at Welton Hill

A motorist has died after skidding on black ice on the A46 Welton Hill bypass.

The accident, which happened just after 6:00am, involved a blue Citroen C2 and a Volvo V40.
Road closures are in place between Nettleham Roundabout and Middle Rasen, along the A46.

It is just one of eight accidents due to icy road conditions on the county's roads this morning.
Other danger spots reported by the police have also include the A158 which runs through North Greetwell.

Inspector Gordon Richard, of Lincolnshire Police, said:

"Now we are entering the winter season the temperatures and weather change dramatically.

"And with black ice you won't have the first inclination it's there until you hit it, so we are urging motorists to take extra care on the county's roads this morning."

UPDATE: 8:30am Monday, 30th November 2009

The Lincolnshire motorist who died following a crash on the A46 bypass on Friday morning has been named.

Neil Smith, 44, of Fern Drive, Market Rasen, died when his blue Citroen C2 collided with a green Volvo V40 at Welton Hill just before 6.45am on Friday.

It is thought the accident was caused by black ice. Mr Smith, who is married, was travelling towards the town and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Volvo driver was said to be travelling in the direction of Lincoln and firefighters were called to pull him from the wreckage of his car.

Not Getting Anywhere - Ray Sellars

County Councillor Ray Sellars (Nettleham & Saxilby Division, Liberal Democrat) admitted at last night's Nettleham Parish Council Meeting that thoughout his two terms, or eight years, on Lincolnshire County Council he had been unable to make any real difference or progres

A resident of the village attended the meeting and raised the issue of the current state of the roads in the village and later in the meeting Cllr. Evans, giving a report on the Parish Plan Committee's progress raised the issue again.

Specifically addressing the matter of the state of the roads in the village Cllr. Sellars said:

“I pursue the matter everytime and I never get anywhere.”

Giles McNeill, also a Parish Councillor, later commented:

"You really do have to wonder what makes people keep standing for office election, after election when they make statements like that. I know that if I were elected as the County Councillor for Nettleham on June 4th I would be doing everything in my power and not just declaring defeat and hoping for a quiet retirement."