Calls for speed limit change on ‘death-trap’ Lincoln road
Residents living next to a “death-trap” road which is part of their daily commute have welcomed the idea of reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph. Meadow Lane, which runs between Hykeham and Waddington, has been the location for several accidents, including the tragic death of 47-year-old[1] dad-of-three Adam Morgan when he collided with a lorry. In the same year, a bus full of 60 schoolchildren fell onto its side in a ditch.
A petition which received 703 signatures was set up by residents living nearby in an attempt to make their area safer following the bus crash. Local councillor for Waddington[2], Hykeham East and Witham, Thomas Dyer, is now calling on Lincolnshire County Council to consider the speed limit reduction due to “several tragic accidents.”
Residents who live in Sharp Walk face a junction which leads directly onto Meadow Lane next to the estate, just before the road becomes 60mph. Danny Conway, 40, who has lived in Sharp Walk for 10 years, said: “A speed reduction would be a good idea because it’s a bit of a death trap. If my kids come from school on their bikes it’s not right and the speeding is mainly worse in the summer.”
Poll – Will you be voting in the local elections?[3]
Charlotte Morgan, 40, who has also lived off Meadow Lane for 10 years, said: “I say yes to a reduction because I’ve seen a few accidents but who would police it? I don’t know how people lose control on a straight road.
“Moving the signs could be one solution. Half the time we can’t get out of the junction because we get overtaken. It’s frustrating and there is increased traffic because of new builds.”
Georgia Richardson, 22, who has lived next to Meadow Lane for 22 years, said: “A speed limit reduction would make it better. It’s a nightmare, there are accidents all the time and it’s very noisy. I think the council should consider speed cameras.”
The school bus which overturned in Meadow Lane, North Hykeham, on Thursday, November 11, 2021 (Image: PA)
Councillor Dyer said: “Most people use Meadow Lane as a bit of a rat run and people have said it’s not the road that’s the problem, it’s human error. Residents have to put up with people going way over the speed limit past their houses.
“I feel it is my duty to ask the county council to look at the speed reduction. The hope is that the speed limit will be approved and in place for Christmas this year.”
Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the 40mph proposal is a good idea and added: “It’s definitely a dangerous road and there need to be speed cameras.”
On November 11, 2021, a double-decker transporting pupils to Sir Robert Pattinson Academy and North Hykeham Academy crashed on Meadow Lane[4] and fell onto its side in a ditch. A 12-year-old boy broke his arm and a 14-year-old girl[5] was taken to hospital as a result of the impact of the crash.
Lincolnshire Live created a Seatbelts for Schools[6] campaign after the crash happened to try and make transport for schoolchildren safer. Lincolnshire County Council Highways has confirmed that Meadow Lane meets the required policy for a speed limit reduction, with the average speed of traffic at 46mph.
A future planning committee will discuss the proposed speed limit change by Cllr Dyer which is likely to be in either May or June. It will then go to consultation later this year.
References
- ^ tragic death of 47-year-old (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Waddington (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Will you be voting in the local elections? (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ crashed on Meadow Lane (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ A 12-year-old boy broke his arm and a 14-year-old girl (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Seatbelts for Schools (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)