In 1828 the plan for the diversion of the Great North Road in Stamford, so as to avoid the narrow bridge, steep hill and sharp turns, was considered an excellent idea by some. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!), it was never carried out – some things don’t change. Eventually the Stamford bypass was constructed.
‘At a meeting of the Commissioners of the South division of the road between Stamford and Grantham, in this town on the 18th inst., some discussion arose on the best means of remedying the present dangers and defects of the road through Stamford. It was strongly recommended that the road should enter St. Martin’s, from the south, a few yards West of the present street ; pass at the back of the George Inn, over a new bridge there, and over a second bridge (in the situation of the present Lamb’s bridge), to the sheep market ; and that from that point the road should be continued straight forward, through premises which now form the Millstone public-house, into the line of the present road at All Saints’ Church. This excellent plan would completely obviate all the objections made to the narrow bridge, steep hill, and sudden turns of the road as it now exists, and it is calculated that the whole improvement might be made for 5000l.’
The Stamford Mercury, 26th December, 1828.