Boston’s Market Place has scarcely been out of the news since it re-opened for business in May after a £2 million refurbishment.
We have seen parking problems leading to threats from both Lincolnshire Police and Boston Borough Council but little – if anything – by way of positive action to ease the difficulties.
Instead, we are getting the usual jam tomorrow promises that we have become so used to – again laced with threats – that we’ll all be made to kow-tow to the rules when Lincolnshire County Council takes over parking enforcement in three-and-a-half weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, county hall is presently rummaging through the results of a survey of the level of satisfaction with the “improved” Market Place – although it demonstrated a singular lack of knowledge of Boston, which is not a good start.
A major concern has been one of public safety which is increasingly pushing its way to the forefront.
Last week Boston’s police inspector surprised many of us by agreeing that the new layout of the area was indeed dangerous and confusing – with the danger caused by “there not being a defined road through the middle of it.”
This prompted one Boston Eye reader to get in touch to say: “I note with interest - the latest 'warning to motorists.'
“Come on County Council - admit the new layout is dangerous to traffic and pedestrians and has deprived the Market Place of much needed short term parking spaces to encourage town centre trade - which is still suffering!
“Other than on Market Days - the Market Place is a poor layout and the effect of the expensive refurbishment has not been beneficial.”
Meanwhile, the Boston Disability Forum has written to Boston Borough Council, asking them to withhold hundreds of thousands of pounds owed to the County Council until the Market Place comes up to scratch.
“We are writing to you in regards to the £0.5 million budget contribution being held at Boston Borough Council ready to pay the County Council towards the Market Place regeneration.
“We urge you, on the behalf of the public in Boston, not to pay these funds as the work is clearly not yet finished.
“Some remedial work needs to be done to make the space usable by the disabled and elderly community.
“Everyone has a right to enjoy the space which has been created but too much emphasis on the look of the space has resulted in users already reporting trips and falls.
“Those with visual impairments are struggling to find their way around the space due to lack of contrast.
“Inclines are tipping wheelchair users, trying to lead an independent life, out of their chairs!
“You have a duty of care to make these people safe.
“Also, the chaotic parking arrangements, lack of markings and how drivers are using the space needs to be addressed.  It's just not working.
“We urge you to MANAGE the overseeing of this crucial time BEFORE the monies are transferred and someone is seriously INJURED.”
Other readers have thrown their hands up in horror at the suggestion that there should be a “defined” road running through the middle of the Market Place – on the grounds that the Into Town buses are often travelling too fast for comfort already, and to mark out a roadway would imply a precedence for traffic which was not meant to be the intention of the scheme.
It seems that once again Boston has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with a scheme that meant to be a jewel in the town’s crown has instead become a blot on the townscape.
And given the slavish obedience shown by the borough’s Tory leaders to their County Hall political masters, don‘t think for one moment that they will do anything as daring as refusing to pay up until the people who elected them are satisfied.

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