The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority [GLCCA] is exploring opportunities to enhance transport connectivity, support sustainable travel, and promote economic growth. As part of the Mayor’s ambitions, there is interest in understanding whether water-based transport could play a role in the area’s transport system.
Greater Lincolnshire has a network of waterways, including the River Witham and Fossdyke Canal, with existing examples of water-based services such as those in Spalding. In Spalding, the River Welland has historically supported small-scale passenger boat services, particularly linked to leisure and tourism. Notably, services have operated connecting the town centre with the Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure area, providing a short-distance “water taxi” style offer. These services have typically been seasonal and oriented towards visitors rather than daily commuters.
SLR understands that this commission seeks to provide a proportionate but robust assessment of opportunities for water-based transport, including innovative concepts such as “park and float” and integration with active travel.
SLR will deploy its experienced transport planning team to provide a Water-based Transport Feasibility Study for Greater Lincolnshire which will demonstrate:
• Whether water-based transport can play a meaningful and viable role in Greater Lincolnshire’s transport network;
• The most promising use cases and locations; and
• Whether there are deliverable pilot opportunities, particularly in and around Lincoln.