About time, residents say, as bypass work starts

4 hours ago

Harry Parkhillin North Hykeham, near Lincoln

News image — Christine Smith says residents have been waiting for the road for a long time

BBC A woman with blond hair has a half-smile while looking into the middle-distance as she stands beside a road in a residential area. She is wearing winter clothes, including a black woolly hat, a purple coat and a blue scarf with white love heart design. — Christine Smith says residents have been waiting for the road for a long time

Work on a £218m bypass is due to begin later, more than 20 years after plans were first announced.

A groundbreaking ceremony will mark the beginning of construction of the North Hykeham relief road, which will complete a loop around Lincoln by connecting the A15 and A46.

The road was proposed in 2005, with government money approved in 2020.

Christine Smith, from North Hykeham, said: "It's about time, I think. That's what people have been wanting for a long time."

It is hoped that the road will ease congestion in North Hykeham and the southern part of Lincoln.

New roundabouts are due to be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road.

A number of bridges will also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.

A woman with black hair, tinged with green highlights, smiles as she stands in front of a car park with commercial buildings in the background. She has a silver nose ring and is wearing a grey baseball cap and white coat. — Ellie Stuart hopes the road will ease traffic congestion

The BBC spoke to residents at a so-called traffic hotpot in North Hykeham, the junction between Station Road and Newark Road, to ask whether they thought the bypass would help.

Ellie Stuart said: "I think we need it. Traffic's awful through Lincoln, it needs to be done."

Fellow resident Rena Martin added: "It will probably help with congestion. I think it will make a massive difference.

"Obviously we've got schools in Hykeham, the traffic is always building up everywhere."

A man with brown hair, combed back, and a neatly trimmed beard, stands in a car park beside a road with residential and commercial buildings in the background. He is wearing a green parka-style coat. — Filippo Spada hopes the road will cut delays for commuters

Filippo Spada said the road would "cut a lot of time for people commuting", while Peter Wass said it would be "a heck of a change" for traffic in the area.

The road is due to be completed by May 2029.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Sean Matthews previously said it would bring "huge economic benefits", including opening up land for 4,500 homes and employment spaces.

The government has confirmed £110m of funding, with the remaining £90m to be paid for by the council.

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