Rail service disruption predicted during Lincoln Eastern Bypass works

Rail services will be disrupted for around seven months while construction workers on the new Lincoln Eastern Bypass tunnel under the line between Sleaford and Lincoln.
Rail transport news.Rail transport news.
Rail transport news.

According to Lincolnshire County Council, a contract will shortly be awarded via Network Rail to allow access under the Lincoln to Sleaford line railway embankment.

As a result, the railway line would be closed in October 2017, with the tunnel through the embankment to be achieved by April 2018.

Carillion Construction has been selected as the preferred bidder to construct the main Lincoln Eastern Bypass.

The 7.5km road will link the A158 Wragby Road roundabout to the A15 at Bracebridge Heath and is predicted to significantly cut congestion in the city centre, while unlocking housing and economic development land around Lincoln, estimated to add around £600m to the value of the Lincolnshire economy.

The council’s executive will be asked to approve Carillion as the contractor for the project when they meet on Tuesday November 1. Once the Department for Transport has formally confirmed the £50m of funding provisionally granted, Carillion will be given the go-ahead to proceed.

Coun Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways, said: “This project will take a lot of pressure off the roads in and around Lincoln – in fact, it’s projected to reduce traffic levels on Broadgate by around 25 per cent.

“That will mean less congestion, better air quality and reduced journey times.

“It will also pave the way for the housing and economic developments that are vital for the county’s future prosperity.”

The main works will start in the new year and take around three years to complete.

Updates on timings of specific areas of the scheme (for instance road closures) will be added to the LEB webpage once they are finalised.