Plans for Hykeham Relief Road near Lincoln are dead in the water if Government won’t stump up a previously-promised £110m, according to Lincolnshire County Council.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Losing this funding would mean not being able to unlock land for 4,500 homes and 7 hectares of employment space, but also missing out on £350 million in economic benefits over the next sixty years. That’s a massive blow to our county – and there’s absolutely no way the county council would be able to find £110 million to fill the gap.
“We’ve already poured £14 million into the project, secured planning permission, and are just over a year away from breaking ground. We’ve got support from Dr Caroline Johnson MP and have also reached out to Lincoln’s new MP and the transport secretary, urging them to safeguard this vital project.
“We’ve done all we can. Now, we wait – hoping for the right decision.”
Funding for the road, which would complete the ring rod around Lincoln, was agreed in 2019 by the previous government, but put in doubt by the new government’s decision to review major spending plans.
Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said: “Lincolnshire County Council has provided significant funding for this project and a serious amount of work has been undertaken by the council to complete the necessary consultation, planning, tendering and acquisition processes.
“The Government’s decision to review of capital schemes means that the future of this road now hangs in the balance. I will continue to work with local leaders to urge the Government to provide assurance that the project can proceed to construction as soon as possible. This project has long been promised to the local community and the allocation has been committed to in the government accounts for some time.”
