Calls to end Trent Bridge 'pandemonium'

Drivers have described scenes of "pandemonium" as traffic regularly gridlocks a bridge connecting Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

The Trent Bridge at Gainsborough is one of only a few routes between the two counties.

Discussions have taken place between Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority, Nottinghamshire County Council, East Midlands Combined Authority and the STEP fusion project on how to address the problem.

Su Roys, 48, who regularly uses the bridge, said: "It's a bottleneck in that area and it just cannot cope now with the sheer volume of traffic."

Roys, who lives in Walkeringham, crosses the bridge for work, dental appointments and shopping trips.

She said the amount of people travelling from Nottinghamshire to the coast during summer causes issues, particularly on Friday afternoons.

Roys also said if there is an accident in the area, it could cause up to four miles of traffic. She added roadworks have previously led to "pandemonium".

"It gridlocks Gainsborough completely, so you can't get anywhere, even if you're not actually getting over the bridge," she said.

Roys explained she usually sets off to work earlier and, on some occasions, the traffic has doubled her commute time.

"It's an inconvenience," she said. "It's very, very frustrating."

Ann Waldron, another commuter, said: "It can be horrendous trying to get over it at busy times of day to get to work on time.

"People tend to race each other down the dual carriageway so that they can get near the front of the queue."

At a meeting on 24 June, Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns said: "The combined authority is aware of the issues with the bridge serving Gainsborough.

"I've sat in the traffic myself so many times. You're talking half an hour for the last mile, it's a nightmare."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Jenkyns commissioned a feasibility study earlier this year to look into various options, including widening it and even building a new one.

The bridge was built in 1791 and was last widened more than 60 years ago, according to a plaque on it.

The authority is now speaking with Nottinghamshire County Council, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and the STEP fusion project about the possibility of joint funding for the project.

The STEP fusion project at the former West Burton power station is expected to become a major employer for the area in future, highlighting the need for stronger transport links.

Jenkyns said: "We need the new bridge. I think we all ought to work together...I want to ensure it finally happens."

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