"It is always fantastic news to see any improvement to our local infrastructure in Lincoln and Lincolnshire. Seeing the completion of a £120million-plus project, which I have consistently promoted for over 16 years and that will significantly improve Lincoln and the surrounding villages and areas, is a terrific and positive ending to what has undoubtedly been a difficult year for us all. This new road will reduce congestion in and around Lincoln and will support economic growth by making our City even more attractive -- opening up development land for both business and residential purposes to the East of the City.
“As part of the project, we have seen the opening of four new roundabouts and eight new bridges, including one over the River Witham. To give some idea of the scale and ambition of the project, here are a few statistics: 2.2 million tonnes of soil and earth have been moved, 154,000 tonnes of road building material were used, and 20 miles of new drainage installed. I am also told that during this process, 250,000 ancient artefacts have been uncovered. it is one of the biggest infrastructure projects Lincoln has seen, and I am very proud to have played my part in ensuring it remained a possibility of commencing during the first three years I was in Parliament, and subsequently ensuring the funding was provided for two thirds of the construction costs by my Conservative colleagues in Government.
“This is a significant, positive and massive step forward which will benefit Lincoln and the County for many decades to come, and only took a century from when it was first thought of as a benefit for the City in 1916 I am told! Many of my constituents and colleagues who have heard me bang the drum for this bypass for over a decade think it maybe could be called ‘McCartney Way’, and funnily enough, I do not disagree with them, especially as I invested so much political capital in ensuring it happened and was built, in the face of much opposition.
“Of course, this is not the end of our bypass improvements. This road is the second to last piece of a full ring-road for Lincoln – the now termed ‘North Hykeham Relief Road’ will be the final piece. I know that both my colleagues on the County Council and colleagues within Government are very keen to ensure we launch this project to complete the ring-road around Lincoln in the very near future."
Eastern Bypass project:
- The road is the second to last piece of a full ring road for Lincoln – the North Hykeham Relief Road will be the final piece
- Planning application process started in 2012
- Main construction started in June 2017
- Total cost is £120 million, with £50m from DfT
- When open, the road will reduce congestion in and around Lincoln and will support growth by opening up development land
- The scheme has faced challenge after challenge (Carillion going bust in 2018 / earthworks contractor going bust in 2019 / extreme wet weather / site flooding & ground saturation in 2019-20 / Covid)
- As part of the project, we have built four new roundabouts and eight new bridges, including one over the River Witham
- Other stats include 250,000 ancient artefacts uncovered, 2.2 million tonnes of soil and earth moved, 154,000 tonnes of road building material used and 20 miles of new drainage installed
Link to the project webpage:
This has an overview, funding breakdown & timeline: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/major-projects/lincoln-eastern-bypass
