Perhaps this could be the answer to the current proposal to close the town bridge between St. Mary’s street and St. Martin’s for seven weeks this summer!?
“In the course of next week, the main thoroughfare between St, Martin’s and Stamford will be cut off, and preparations for the removal of the present dangerous structure called the town bridge will be commenced. A substantial roadway across the meadows from the Sheep-square to the back of St. Martin’s has been completed: it is raised nearly three feet above the level of the meadows, and the sides are guarded by a strong fencing. By this divergence of the thoroughfare from Northamptonshire into the town, the tradesmen of St. Martin’s and St. Mary’s hill apprehend a great falling off in their business; and it has been suggested that what they may lose will only be a foretaste of what the entire borough will suffer, in the event of the deviation to Stamford of the Great Northern Railway being permanently lost.”
The Stamford Mercury, 2nd July, 1847.