Councils Partnership calls for investment in public transport, roads and ‘green’ transport infrastructure

In response to two major strategic transport consultations, the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and South Holland District Council) has called for greater investment in public transport, roads, and green transport infrastructure.

In its recent responses to both Highways England’s ‘Vision for Route Strategies’ consultation and Lincolnshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan consultation, the Partnership highlighted the need for a more ambitious transport plan for the area, in order to attract the investment needed to improve local transport infrastructure for the benefit of residents and businesses across the sub-region.

The Partnership has specifically called for:

• Major investment in the A16 and A17 to recognise the route’s national significance and to support residents, visitors and businesses – especially those within the Agri-food sector, an industry in which the area is a national leader.
• Investment in the road network that links the area’s rural communities together, and measures to address congestion, noise, and air pollution to preserve the area’s natural environment.
• Further investment in public transport to ensure residents have better access to vital public services and greater employment opportunities,
• Upgrades to rail connectivity that can support residents, visitors and businesses and help address a historic lack of funding in rail infrastructure in the area.
• Investment in ‘green’ transport infrastructure, including electric buses and electric vehicle charging, to ensure the area is future proofed as transport habits change in response to climate change.

Following submission of the responses, the Partnership has affirmed its commitment to now working with partners to ensure that the needs and aspirations for transport across South & East Lincolnshire can be delivered.

Councillor Gary Porter, Leader of South Holland District Council, said: “The national significance our area often gets overlooked, and our transport links are big contributor towards that.

“Supporting our partners to secure investment in our local transport network is vital to ensuring that we can make the most of our strengths – such as our prominent role in food production – and making sure that South & East Lincolnshire, and the entire county, gets the recognition it deserves at a national level.”