Southern Lincoln Bypass

In support of the residents of Waddington, it is important that the route drops as neatly into the ground as possible and that the blight policy compensating residents is sensitive as possible. The County Council consultation on how that is best done is about to take place. I urge residents to respond so that their voice can be heard.

I was deeply involved in getting the Leadenham Bypass, which is a good example of how a bypass can be fitted into the landscape. Experience shows that it is only the best route that will be supported by external government funds.

Following consultation on "corridors" last year, route 2C between Waddington and Waddington East was decided by the Portfolio holder at the County Council as the best route. The new consultation about to begin is on the finer details of route 2C.

The evidence has again reviewed the evidence for corridor 3 and the final decision is about to be announced. However, even without a detailed study, one can see that a much longer route will be less used as a bypass and therefore not stack up in the cost-benefit analysis, especially when competing with other bypass demands in the East Midlands. Even the Lincoln Eastern bypass didn't get through the last round and we still have to get it on the list for post 2011!

A preference for route 3 for the southern bypass was passed by North Kesteven District Council Executive of six members, not by the full Council of 41 members. Full Council, which includes the local representatives for Waddington, was not given the opportunity to debate the Council's response. Some villages were consulted, but not Coleby, which is directly and adversely affected by route 3.

Many residents of the villages south of Waddington are sympathetic to the plight of the people of Waddington, but do not want to take the traffic in their stead. If a bypass is really wanted, opting for a route that is not viable will undermine our bid when competing with other well-supported road improvements in the East Midlands.

Route 3 is not exactly "firmly in support of the residents of North Kesteven" as that ignores the fact that a number of villages do not want route 3. Route 3 avoids Waddington Village and brings the north-south traffic neatly to Harmston, Coleby and the Cliff Villages on the A607. Around 10,000 vehicles per day are estimated to pass along the A607 near Coleby, increasing at a rate of 2-2.5% per year. Traffic is calculated to increase with more housing and with the building of the Eastern Bypass. We certainly do need an interim strategy for our villages to deal with the traffic prior to the bypass being up and running, especially if we continue to encourage increased development.