Following several years of consultation, frustration and indecision, works are now set to begin on Tollbar Roundabout.

For years, the previously Labour-led North East Lincolnshire Council faced opposition from local residents, road users, and Tollbar Academy over a proposal to remove the roundabout entirely and have it replaced with traffic lights. Works began, but after the May election they were halted by the new Conservative administration.

Insisting they were “listening to the electorate”, the cabinet decided to reject the advice of council officers regarding the placement of traffic lights. It took them just 20 minutes to vote unanimously to install extra traffic lanes.

North East Lincolnshire Council have announced that they will start work on improvements to Toll Bar Roundabout in July.

Nearby residents and businesses have been informed that the works are expected to take five months to complete.

This is ahead of a drop-in event at Tollbar Academy on Monday, where interested parties can discuss the plans. An ‘engagement team’ from North East Lincolnshire Council is also liaising with residents, stakeholders, including Tollbar Academy, emergency services and Stagecoach.

It is expected that the works will see additional lanes constructed leading into the roundabout for travel onto the A16. Approaches to the roundabout on Station Road East and Station Road West will also be widened to increase the number and length of entry lanes.

The new plans have been praised by local residents and councillors, who were outspoken against the original plans to remove the roundabout entirely and replace it with traffic lights.

This has previously prompted weekly protests.

Another suggestion was to build an overpass, allowing pedestrians to cross safely. Instead, a toucan crossing has been installed.

Councillors have said that the toucan crossing has proved to be effective in improving the safety for the 700 children who attend Tollbar Academy, and who have to cross the junction on a daily basis.

A contractor is expected to be appointed in May, when further details regarding traffic management during the works programme will be announced.

The development is being jointly funded by a £1.5m grant from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, North East Lincolnshire Council, and support from nearby housing developments. They are being arranged to coincide with Tollbar Academy’s summer break.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, said:

“We are acutely aware of the potential issues to residents and businesses while the works are undertaken.

To that end, we will be asking potential contractors to give options on increasing the speed of delivery and reducing the impact on those affected.

If residents or businesses have any specific concerns, they are encouraged to get in touch with the delivery team ahead of the works beginning in July.”

This comes after business on the A18 complained that roadworks there have the potential to cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost business.

Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation