A1073

A1073

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From:

Eye (TF227031)

To:

Spalding By Pass (TF265239)

Length:

11.5 miles (18.5 km)

Met:

A47, A16, A151

Former Number(s):

B1165, B1040

Primary Destinations

Peterborough • Spalding •

Highways Authorities

Peterborough • Lincolnshire

Traditional Counties

Lincolnshire • Northamptonshire

Route

A1073 south of Cowbit

This old, fenland route suffered from being the only direct road between Peterborough and Spalding. Though I'm tempted to say it wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for locals desperate to overtake at 60mph around bends. Surrounded by dykes, and steep banks, as well as the notorious Crowland junctions, it was failing to cope with the volumes of traffic on it. Complete closures became increasingly common.

An added complication was that because the road spanned two local authorities, neither council could agree who should develop, and fund a new, improved route. English Heritage also insisted on an expensive new viaduct, and bridge to protect the local section of Carr Dyke - a Roman waterway. Finally, in 2002, Lincolnshire County Council and Peterborough City Council agreed on a joint proposal - which would also serve as a bypass of the A16 route from Stamford. The A1073 had finally met its match.

Now declassified, it falls into two sections, both local roads. The northern section to Cowbit and Spalding, is now the C719; the southern section to Crowland is now the C724.

History

The A1073 was originally classified as the B1165 from Eye to Crowland, and then the northern end of the B1040 to Spalding. It was upgraded to a Class I route on 1st April, 1924. The A16 improvement was fully opened on the 16th of October 2011, making the road defunct.