The Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has welcomed the decision announced today giving the go-ahead for work to start on Lincoln’s Eastern Bypass.

The Secretary of State for Transport has granted the legal orders required for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme to progress following a public inquiry in the city in August 2015.

Lincolnshire County Council will now appoint a contractor and it is hoped that work will be able to start on site later this year.

“This has been rumbling on for many years and we are pleased and relieved that the Secretary of State has given the scheme the green light,” said Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“One of the LEP’s priorities is to improve the infrastructure in Greater Lincolnshire to enable businesses and the economy to grow. One of the biggest drawbacks to doing business in our area is the relatively poor road network, and this long overdue scheme is a step forwards in addressing that issue.

“The bypass will also help to alleviate congestion in Lincoln, which is a historic city not designed for the amount of road traffic it has to contend with.”

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I am glad that the inspector saw that the bypass is a vital component in our plans to create a fit-for-purpose highways infrastructure for the needs of an expanding Lincoln.

“Hopefully we can now progress with this long-awaited bypass without any further needless expense or delay.”

The Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme aims to minimise traffic congestion, support Lincoln’s growth as a principal urban centre and enhance the inter-city environment. The scheme attracted £50 million in funding from central Government in 2011 and planning consent for a single carriageway was granted in June 2013.

The eastern bypass will serve as a step towards the completion of an eventual ring road around Lincoln, connecting the existing western and northern relief roads to the anticipated southern bypass.

The confirmation of the legal orders will now allow the council to seek tenders from contractors. Once a contractor is appointed the bypass is expected to take two years to complete and will cost around £96 million.

For more information about the scheme visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/roadworks-and-improvement-schemes/lincoln-eastern-bypass/