Work to shore up busy road could cost £1.7m

Work to shore up a slipping hillside looks likely to be approved in order to avoid costly emergency repairs to a busy road in future.

The embankment supporting Yarborough Road, in Lincoln, could collapse if nothing is done, councillors will be told at a meeting on 15 December.

The road has been breaking up as the ground moves, damaging a footpath and layby.

A report for Lincolnshire County Council recommends replacing buckling walls with reinforced earthworks along a 460ft (140m) stretch of the road, as well as removing the lay-by, at an estimated cost of £1.7m.

If approved the work would take place over four months, starting in March 2026, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"If left unaddressed, the continued deterioration of the embankment will lead to footway subsidence and, ultimately, significant carriageway damage," the report for the highways and transport scrutiny committee states.

"This could necessitate the full closure of the road until the embankment is stabilised and the carriageway repaired.

"There is also a potential risk of ground movement affecting properties on the opposite side of the road."

Yarborough Hill has been listed as one of 10 damaged roads reaching a "tipping point" and at "significant risk of rapid deterioration" without work.

Councillors are due to discuss five plans for the road, including doing nothing and a range of different repair options.

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