Funding awarded for final link in city ring road

The dual carriageway will connect the Lincoln Eastern bypass with the A15

Plans to build the last part of a ring road around Lincoln have been awarded funding by the government.

The North Hykeham Relief Road was allocated £110m towards its £200m cost by the Conservative government in 2020.

However, Labour put this on hold in a review of spending plans when it took office.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the funding as part of 50 road and rail schemes across the UK.

Lincoln Labour MP Hamish Falconer told BBC Radio Lincolnshire the amount of final funding was "subject to a business case process", but added he thought it was "nigh on certain" the road would be built.

"This has been a plan which has been long in the making and I'm really pleased today that we can confirm that it's going ahead," he said.

"I can't say numbers today because it's going to depend on the business case process. But yeah, the money is there from the Department of Transport to finish the ring road."

Lincolnshire County Council will pay the rest of the construction cost.

The dual carriageway will connect the Lincoln Eastern bypass with the A15 Sleaford roundabout.

An independent inspector, appointed by the transport secretary, is holding a public inquiry into the scheme over objections from those who face having their land used or purchased.

If approved, the road is expected to be opened in late 2028.

Also announced by the transport secretary were plans for digital signalling upgrades on the railway line between London and Grantham.

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