Another month of misery ahead for motorists as A18 closure continues
ROAD RESURFACING WILL NOT START UNTIL DECEMBER 6
THE motoring misery for thousands of drivers is set to continue for at least another month as a new roundabout continues to be installed.
The A18 remains closed to vehicles, although access is maintained up to the under-construction new junction at Waltham Road, Barnoldby-le-Beck.
North East Lincolnshire Council say pipework is underway and resurfacing is due to start on December 6.
The closure of one of the main arterial roads through North East Lincolnshire has caused massive delays, particularly at peak times.
Long tailbacks are now part of the daily commute into and from Grimsby.
Traffic using the A18 between Laceby and Ludborough to join the A16 would normally take about 13 minutes over the 9.6mile route.
But the detour due to the closure, takes traffic into Grimsby and means a 13-mile journey, taking 29 minutes. At peak times that delay is doubled. Queues on Louth Road, Scartho now stretch back to the A16 Toll Bar roundabout each morning.
Traffic heading into Grimsby from Scartho is almost at a standstill at the Scartho roundabout as it meets traffic coming from Waltham. They merge on Scartho Road, causing lengthy delays.Traffic heading to Peaks Parkway is also heavily congested in the morning rush hour, making people late for work and start of the school day.
The “tea-time drag” is equally congested with the diversion to avoid the A18 taking thousands more vehicles through Grimsby, along Laceby Road, Weelsby Road and onto Peaks Parkway to join the A16.
Commuter traffic continues to be mixed in with heavy goods vehicles trying to rejoin the A16.
The work, which started in September, will continue until just before the festive season.
North East Lincolnshire Council chiefs have thanked motorists for their patience.
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: “Works are on schedule and set to be complete before Christmas.
“Anglian Water will be carrying out essential works next week to allow for the relocation of a pipe.
“Final carriageway resurfacing works are due to start on Monday, December 6, followed by new road markings and the installation of new signs. Construction of the roundabout will continue in the meantime, which includes kerbing, drainage works and installation of fencing.
“We would like to thank people for their patience while we move ahead with the final phase of these works.”