Works to install a fit-for-purpose roundabout to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, plus provide access to a potential new housing site will be ramping up from Monday 17 February.
In recent weeks the contractor, Jackson Civil Engineering, have been gearing up to start on site and local residents will start to see much more activity taking place.
From Monday 17 February works to remove the central islands and a footpath on Little Coates Road outside the former Western School Site will begin. This is expected to take three to four days to complete.
To reduce disruption to motorists, but ensure the safety of those completing the works, cones and barriers will be used while these works take place between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Outside of these hours temporary three way traffic lights will be in operation.
Following this a temporary footpath will be put in place for pedestrians and the temporary traffic lights removed. Works will continue to take place on the former school site constructing the roundabout with minimal disruption to residents and businesses. This phase is expected to be completed in May 2020.
After the construction of the new roundabout is complete, the remaining works will include realigning of the road to meet the new roundabout and completing the required landscaping works. Traffic management will be in place during the last phases and be communicated later in the project.
Once complete the new roundabout will replace the existing mini roundabout at the junction of Little Coates Road and Cambridge Road, which has long been a pinch-point for traffic delays during busy times of the day.
The majority of the works are being funded through a £1.8m grant from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, matched with funding from NELC.
The new roundabout takes into account future housing allocation plans, with 390 new homes set to be built there, in addition to tackling existing congestion. As reported, this development is part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s longer-term vision to make the redundant school site available for good-quality housing – bringing investment back into the town centre and boosting the urban economy.
To account for future development on the former school site, an arm is being constructed off the new roundabout to form an access road into the site. This prevents any further major traffic disruption in the area as and when any development goes ahead. Homes England are part funding the new roundabout arm.
Pat Doody, Interim Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, commented: “The LEP is very pleased to be contributing £1.8m towards this key infrastructure project which will assist in the delivery of new housing sites. In addition, we recognise the importance of Little Coates Road as a link for commuters between housing areas to the south and employment opportunities to the north on the South Humber Bank.
“The scheme also contributes to the growth of our visitor economy by providing access improvements to a well used route into Cleethorpes, one of Greater Lincolnshire’s best known tourist destinations.”
For more information about the junction improvements including frequently asked questions, general layout and phasing plans visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/business-and-investment/key-projects.
The improvements are being carried out by North East Lincolnshire Council’s regeneration partner, ENGIE.
To keep up to date with the latest live travel information in the borough, including congestion and roadworks, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/roadworks.