Proposed parking restrictions in Spalding and Moulton are being sent back to a county council committee after objections were submitted to both schemes.
The plans cover a new no-waiting restriction at Lime Court in Spalding and changes to waiting restrictions on Broad Lane, near John Harrox Primary School in Moulton. Lincolnshire County Council had planned to introduce both traffic orders, but the objections mean members of its Planning Regulation Committee will discuss them on Monday.
Why the Moulton scheme is being reconsidered
The Moulton proposal follows a review requested by deputy council leader Rob Gibson of the non-enforceable school safety zone and layby outside John Harrox Primary School.
A site visit found vehicles were regularly parking in the layby, preventing coaches and taxis from reaching the area safely. The report also recorded parking close to junctions, where it said visibility was reduced and potential road safety problems were created for all road users.
Two objections have been received. One objector said reducing the zig-zag markings would cause difficulties, while another argued that the proposals did not go far enough.
The council report says the proposed restrictions were intended to balance road safety with the availability of on-street parking in the village. It concludes that the measures would be a balanced and proportionate way to improve safety for people using the road.
“The proposed restrictions have been designed to strike a balance between improving road safety and maintaining the availability of on-street parking in the village,”
The committee will therefore need to consider both the safety concerns identified during the site visit and the objections about the extent of the proposed changes.
Business and resident concerns at Lime Court
The separate Spalding proposal would introduce “No Waiting at Any Time” restrictions on the narrow entrance to Lime Court.
According to the report, parked vehicles at that location significantly restrict access for all vehicles. The proposal has prompted an objection from the owners of a local business, who said removing parking spaces could reduce the number of potential customers and harm the business’s trade and viability.
A second objection came from a resident who believed the main problem was connected to school traffic. The resident also warned that if restrictions were introduced at Lime Court, demand for unrestricted parking could move to Alexandra Road instead.
The report says the restrictions are needed at all times because of the narrow road leading from the junction and the need to keep access to Lime Court unobstructed for residents.
“It was considered that waiting restrictions are required at all times due to the narrow nature of the road leading from the junction and the need to maintain unobstructed access for residents of Lime Court,”
It also says the needs of the local business were considered while the proposal was being developed and that the restricted section was kept to the minimum needed to address the identified access problems.
What happens next
The two schemes will be considered together by the Planning Regulation Committee on Monday. Until members reach a decision, the proposed restrictions have not been confirmed as introduced.
The report’s overall conclusion is that the planned orders are appropriate and proportionate, maintaining a balance between road safety and access. The committee’s discussion will take place against objections focused on parking availability, business impact, traffic near the school and the possibility of parking pressure moving to another road.
