Lincoln's historic Glory Hole footpath to reopen

Lincolnshire County Council said the path would reopen on Friday

The Glory Hole walkway in Lincoln is due to reopen on Friday after being closed for more than a year.

The path, which leads to High Bridge, was shut in February 2023 after it was deemed to be unsafe.

Lincolnshire County Council said the repair work was essential.

But the owner of a local business said it nearly had to stop trading because of the closure.

Roger Baldam-Lucas said the repairs caused a drop in trade

Roger Baldam-Lucas, 64, from Now Hair Company, said it had been a “survival process” for his business.

He said he understood the need for the repairs, but added: “It has been very difficult. I thought I was going to have to close.

"Because the footpath was closed, people thought we were closed. Fortunately, we are still standing."

The walkway was closed after a series of fractured wooden beams - part of the original construction - were found by maintenance crews.

Officials said the work involved reinforcing timber piles and installing new beams to support fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) deck boards.

'Game of catch-up'

Mr Badlam-Lucas said his profits had halved since the closure.

“When the Glory Hole pathway reopens it will be a game of catch-up, without a doubt,” he said.

Richard Davies, the county council's executive member for highways, said he understood the frustration around the repairs.

“We do hundreds of roadworks around the county and a lot of them cause frustration,” he said.

“But when it comes to matters of safety like the Glory Hole, it is really important the job gets done properly."

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