Construction of North Hykeham Relief Road could begin within weeks - subject to approval
Construction of the £200 million-plus North Hykeham Relief Road could finally begin as soon as March, if the details of the project are approved by the government.
Members of Lincolnshire County Council’s executive heard that the authority has put its final business case to the government, which will allow it to get spades in the ground.
At a meeting on Tuesday, January 6, members agreed the issuance of the contractual instruction with Balfour Beatty which, subject to approval from the department of transport, will allow the project to proceed to the construction phase.
The North Hykeham Relief Road project will see a new dual carriageway built, linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass, creating a complete ring road around Lincoln.
New roundabouts will also be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road.
A number of bridges will also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
The relief road will take around three years to build and is expected to cost between £203 million and £218 million.
Sam Edwards, head of highways at the county council, said: “For the main works, subject to this approval and the final business case, we’re looking to issue a notice to proceed in February and start work in March this year and that will take us to about May 2029.
“The costs, as I reported in August, remain unchanged – the benefit to cost ratio remains the same and was part of the final business case. Effectively, subject to the approval, we will start.”
Coun Tom Dyer (Conservative – Waddington Hykeham East) said he supported the project and said that many residents had been calling out for this “for decades”.
He added: “It’s great to see the scheme finally coming before you as the executive.
“Residents in Waddington, Hykeham, Bracebridge Heath and the wider area, face daily traffic issues and rat running.
“It isn’t just congestion and longer journeys. We’ve also got to keep in mind the air quality on village roads, pedestrian safety risks and constant noise from traffic.”
Coun Dyer went on to say that the new relief road will stop many of the roads in the area from being regularly “clogged up”.
He added: “Since being elected in 2021, I’ve listened to thousands of residents in Waddington and Hykeham East.
“While the relief road isn’t universally supported by residents – some strongly oppose it – many residents are prepared to accept the local disruption for an infrastructure project that will mean easing congestion that blights our communities in the south of Lincoln.
“The report before the executive today isn’t perfect. It won’t please everybody.
“But it’s the best compromise to tackle our traffic problems while delivering a viable infrastructure project.”