Lincolnshire County Council‘s highways boss says the local authority is “ploughing ahead as planned” with a major relief road project despite uncertainty over funding. The North Hykeham Relief Road, which is estimated to cost around £200 million, will complete the ring road around Lincoln if it goes ahead.
A total of £110 million in government funding was secured for the project in 2019 while the Conservatives were in power. However, the Labour’s Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has commissioned an internal review of DfT’s capital spend portfolio, meaning the North Hykeham Relief Road funding could be scrapped.
The relief road, which is being carried out by Lincolnshire County Council, has been around two decades in the making and planning permission for the project was granted earlier this year. Despite the potential scrapping of vital government funding, the county council has officially published the legal orders for the project.
This means it can acquire the land needed for the relief road and make changes to the road network. Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Despite uncertainty around Central Government’s £110 million in funding for the North Hykeham Relief Road project, we’re ploughing ahead as planned to ensure we remain on track for starting the works late next year if and when Westminster confirms their funding promise this autumn.”
(Image: LCC)
He added: “The objection period for the orders is now underway until late November. Following that, we hope to hear from the DfT by late December about whether a public inquiry will be needed for the scheme.
“But rest assured that, because this is such a massive project that affects so many people, we’ve programmed an inquiry into our timeline. That means we’d still be able to break ground by the end of 2025 if we need one.”
Construction of the new relief road is expected to start in late 2025 and be open by late 2028. It would see a new dual carriageway built, linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass, creating a complete ring road around the city.
As part of the project, new roundabouts would be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road. A number of bridges would also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
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