North Hykeham Relief Road to get £110m government funding among ‘levelling up’ infrastructure schemes for county

Announcements include the East Midlands benefitting from nearly £90 million in investment across 10 projects as part of the Housing Infrastructure Fund. It will also support the regeneration of 23 towns in the East Midlands through the Towns Fund including Skegness, Boston and Lincoln in Lincolnshire, after they were previously invited to provide their business cases for investment.

It will also see an upgrade to the A46 Newark Bypass, which affects many motorists heading in and out of the area as part of over £500m investment.

The review also provides over £110 million funding for local roads maintenance in 2021/22, in addition the North Hykeham Relief Road scheme has now been awarded programme entry status and the Department for Transport will contribute up to £110m towards the full cost of the scheme. Lincolnshire County Council and developers will fund the remaining £45million.

The road represents the final section of the Lincoln bypass and once built will complete the ring road around the City of Lincoln, improving trade routes to the east coast ports and holiday destinations.

It will also improve transport links between North Kesteven residents and the city.

MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Dr Caroline Johnson welcomed the Chancellor’s support for the North Hykeham Relief Road to drive economic recovery and support jobs.

Dr Johnson commented: “Following the commitment the Prime Minister gave to me in Prime Minister’s Questions last year, I am delighted that the Chancellor has used today’s Spending Review to reaffirm the Government’s support for this incredibly important scheme.

“This will make a huge difference to the lives of my constituents in North Hykeham who currently experience some of the worst traffic congestion in the country. A recent survey I conducted last year highlighted the severity of this issue, with constituents sharing their horror stories of a one mile round trip taking nearly an hour, and not even bothering to leave the house during rush hour.

“I shared these concerns in meetings with the Prime Minister and the Transport Secretary and am glad they have recognised the importance of this scheme.

“I was elected at last year’s General Election on a commitment to level up communities like ours, and I am thrilled that this Conservative Government is now making good on that promise – by delivering a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure that will create jobs, grow the economy and increase pride in the place we call home.”

The Chancellor also today announced a new £4 billion Levelling Up Fund which will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities and will support economic recovery.

Mr Sunak said: “Today’s Spending Review underlines our commitment to level up the UK and spread opportunity to people no matter where they are from.

“These investments in homes, transport and infrastructure will help the people across the East Midlands.

“We are providing billions of pounds in the fight against coronavirus across the UK, delivering the peoples’ priorities and driving the UK’s recovery.”

The Government is building five hospitals in the Midlands and continuing to grow medical undergraduate degree places, with an additional 173 places in the East Midlands compared to 2017/18.

The East Midlands will also benefit from a share of the £5.2bn six-year flood and coastal defence programme, including better protection for over 17,000 properties across Skegness, Tattershall, and Boston.

The Government is committed to improving education in the region with schools in the East Midlands receiving around £3.2 billion in per-pupil funding through the schools block, an average increase of 3.3 per cent compared to 2020-21.

Coun Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The government is clearly all too aware of the economic impacts of the continuing coronavirus pandemic and these announcements show the commitment to addressing this so we can build forward stronger.

“We will ensure we are at the front and centre of bids for funding from the £4bn levelling up fund, and the shared prosperity fund – both of which will support our plans to boost skills and technology in the county. Combined with the government’s 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution announced last week, we expect this to also stimulate further growth in the green economy - a burgeoning industry across our area.

“We will await the details of the national infrastructure strategy, ensuring the projects we have lined up in Lincolnshire are a good fit and that we are ready to take opportunities to progress them.

“Finally, with our need for new housing in Lincolnshire and the importance of our construction industry, the £7bn for new homes also provides an incredibly welcome boost.

“Ultimately, with the right national support, in Lincolnshire we are on the front foot ready to help our industries come out fighting from an incredibly difficult year.”

Coun Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Understandably the government has been focused on the pandemic for most of the year, and it’s clear further economic challenges lie ahead. We’ve already had significant financial support from the government to help balance the books, and we welcome the additional funding announced today for adult care, schools, skills and infrastructure.

“However, we still need to find long-term solutions to the major issues facing local councils. In the coming year, we need to see progress on the Fair Funding Review, the resetting of business rates, and the plan for making adult care more sustainable.

“The pandemic has underlined the vital role played by local councils in supporting our communities. It’s only right that the government recognises this and provides the funding we need to deliver the services our residents rely on. “