In September, Victoria Atkins MP, Member of Parliament for Louth & Horncastle, raised the problem of the “Bull Ring Bottleneck” in Horncastle in the House of Commons. She stated that “The single carriageway roads [of the A158 and A153] cannot cope with the volume of traffic between the city of Lincoln, the market town of Louth and the East Coast.”
This week, Victoria met the Minister in the Department of Transport to discuss the traffic jams and how they may be eased. Victoria invited local decision-makers from East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, the Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Matt Warman, Member of Parliament for Boston & Skegness, to ensure that representatives in the east of the county work together to find solutions to this bottleneck and access to the east of the county generally.
Victoria stated that it can take up to 45 minutes to pass through the Bull Ring traffic lights. She described the problems that this can cause local residents, including those going to work and school. Victoria also emphasised the need to look at the impact on Lincolnshire’s economy as a whole, particularly the coastal economy.
Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of ELDC, County Cllr Richard Davies, Highways Portfolio Holder for LCC and Ruth Carver of the LEP also presented their analyses of the traffic problems to the Minister.
After the meeting, Victoria said, “This meeting with the Minister was the first step towards finding a solution to the traffic jams on the A158 and A153. The bottleneck has a real impact on daily life in Horncastle and surrounding areas in the summer months. Along with the delays, constituents also have to put up with heavy lorries, pollution, dirt, noise, litter and deteriorating road surfaces. That is why I have taken this to the top, asking the Minister to give this matter his attention.
These delays do not just affect Horncastle, however. For tourists who are visiting the coast for a day at the seaside, delays of up to 45 minutes each way may deter them from visiting the Lincolnshire coast again. This is why I am working with Matt Warman, MP for Boston & Skegness, to encourage a strategic, regional approach to transport in the county.
It will take time to find a solution – and the funding for any solutions - but this meeting means that the “Bull Ring Bottleneck” is firmly in the Minister’s mind from now on.”
Victoria would like to hear the views of business and residents affected by the traffic jams in Horncastle. If you would like to share your views please Victoria via [email protected] or by phoning 01507 527017.