Plea for patience as work on historic route begins

12 hours ago

Zara Healyin Lincoln

News image — Sam Edwards is overseeing the improvements to Bailgate in Lincoln

BBC A man wearing a dark-grey suit, white shirt and red tie smiles as he stands on a cobbled street with a row of smart shops, their fronts in various colours, behind him. — Sam Edwards is overseeing the improvements to Bailgate in Lincoln

Highways bosses have asked for "patience" as repairs to a historic street in Lincoln begin.

Sam Edwards, head of highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said the improvements to Bailgate would strengthen the road and leave it "pristine".

The work is due to take about three months. Footpaths and car parks will remain open and sections of the road will be closed in stages.

Businesses have welcomed the work, despite the risk of disruption. Steve Kettley, who has a greetings card shop, said: "We get people coming in complaining about the state of the road and the cobbles, so it will hopefully improve that situation."

A man with short grey hair and a beard stands behind a till in his shop. He is wearing a thick green jumper and black-rimmed glasses. Jars of various sweets stand on shelves behind him. Cards, boxes and other items can be seen. There is a set of scales. — Steve Kettley runs a store in Bailgate

Bailgate, which connects the city's cathedral and the Roman Newport Arch, was paved in 2010, but some of the Yorkstone flags need repairing or replacing.

Edwards said the work, costing £1.7m, was needed to protect the route for the next 20 years.

"I was here in 2010 when the original scheme was done and prior to that it was a bit of a hotchpotch of different bits and pieces," he said.

"When that scheme came in, I think it was universally supported as it changed the feel of the whole Bailgate area and made it in keeping with the cultural feel.

"That is exactly what we want to maintain."

A woman looks into the camera. She is standing in the centre of a shop, with rows of children's shoes on a wall behind her. She has silver hair and wears a blue jumper. — Michelle Crosby says the council has consulted with businesses

More than 20 buildings have listed status in Bailgate, where some properties date as far back as the 13th Century.

Michelle Crosby, 64, runs a shoe shop. She said the county council had consulted with businesses and was pleased the road closures would be coordinated to minimise disruption.

"They've put it in phases so there is access at all times," she added.

"Businesses will stay open, footpaths will stay open.

"We want good access, ultimately, so the stones have to be redone."

The scheme will be carried out in five phases, beginning with Westgate to the White Hart Hotel.

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