Trust fears new road will only benefit Tesco
MEMBERS of the Sleaford and District Civic Trust have weighed into the debate about future development plans for Sleaford by issuing a statement giving their observations on the proposals.
In the statement the trust says that it is in no way opposed to change and added ‘indeed, it (the Trust) welcomes changes to Sleaford’s townscape that contribute to the amenity value of the town and do not undermine or erode its essential character’.
The Trust accepts that the southern end of town is in need of improvement, particularly the stretch of Southgate between the railway crossing and Handley Monument, and that there is a need to improve traffic flow.
The statement goes on to say: “The changes now proposed are probably the most significant in the recent history of Sleaford…….what happens now will determine the character of the town and the way it functions for the foreseeable future.”
On the issue of the construction of a new Tesco store on the former Advanta Seeds site, the Trust says: “The scheme is presented as a means of regeneration of Sleaford as a whole and the leader of North Kesteven District Council believes that it will reinvigorate local businesses.
“The Trust is puzzled by this assertion, since its seems logical that a new road carrying all traffic entering Sleaford from (and to) the south will simply facilitate business for Tesco.
“The Trust believes it is important to recognise that Tesco has no interest in the reinvigoration of local businesses. Its investment in both store and the approach road cannot be in any sense interpreted as a magnanimous gesture towards the wellbeing of the community.”
Planning permission for the new Tesco store has already been approved but the Trust is opposed to the plans for a link road across part of the recreation ground.
In the statement the Trust says: “We strongly oppose the proposed annexation of part of the recreation ground and the loss of mature trees.”
The Trust hope that Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council will consider an alternative route for the link road.
The Trust also has some concerns about the proposed closure of Southgate level crossing. While acknowledging that the crossing is a source of traffic congestion in the town, the Trust points out that ‘the proposals include other controlled junctions further along the vehicular route into town from the south and there is a great danger that such new junctions might cause a worsening of congestion rather than an improvement’.
They fear that King Edward Street and Castle Causeway could become a ‘rat-run’.
The Trust also refutes the assertions by Network Rail that Southgate level crossing is dangerous by pointing out that in the past 25 years emergency services such as LIVES have not been called out to an accident at the crossing.
There are added concerns about the effect that closure of the level crossing will have on pedestrians, especially wheelchair users and mothers with babies in prams and pushchairs, with the Trust commenting that ‘none of the suggested footbridges appears adequately to provide for their needs’.
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Weather for Sleaford
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
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tucker684
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:49 PMHaving recently moved here I am not familiar with the streets and planned proposals for the new Tesco's. However, I find the railway crossing and the accompanying slower traffic very much part of Sleafords charm. It would be a shame to do anything to speed up the traffic. Cars going slower are more in tune with the pedestrian and it makes for more pleasant walk. I moved here from Stamford which is an awful place to be on foot, everyone in such a hurry. As was pointed out in the above article, in 25 years there has been no incidents due to the crossing. Perhaps speeding things up isn't in the interests of all.
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