Lincolnshire County Council waiting to hear back on funding for £200 million North Hykeham Relief Road

Lincolnshire County Council has yet to receive any update "good or bad" on the government's commitment to the £200 million North Hykeham Relief Road.

While the Department for Transport has not officially withdrawn funding for the major project, which would complete the ring road around Lincoln, uncertainty has grown after Labour ordered a review of all promised capital spending, despite the previous Conservative government pledging £110 million towards it. In the meantime, the county council is continuing with its plans as intended.

According to LCC, the most likely cost of the scheme is estimated to be £193.9 million, meaning government funding would cover about 56.7% of the total.

Leaders have warned that if the funding is pulled the project would be "dead in the water" unless LCC can secure the £110 million elsewhere.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at LCC, explained that the council must secure a successful final business case (FBC) before the government confirms any funding.

He stated: "We welcome any support for the scheme as we feel it is vital for the county and very much needed for everyone who is local to this part of Lincolnshire. To be clear, the DfT has not stopped the funding, and we are still progressing the scheme as intended.

"Before the full funds are confirmed by Government, we will need to secure a successful final business case (FBC). That will likely happen in autumn this year.

"That is the standard process around this form of funding. It's worth noting that funding of this nature won’t be fully secured until after the FBC is approved.

"The complexity with this particular funding stream is the spring budget review as that will look at all money awarded for all schemes, not just those in our county. Currently, we have had no good or bad news about anything at this time.

"Archaeology, site clearance and utility diversions are planned for the end of this year with main works and groundworks due to begin at the start of next year."

Coun Davies had hoped the autumn budget would provide more clarity on the project's future, but the Chancellor neither confirmed nor ruled out the spending.

During a meeting last September, Sam Edwards - head of highways infrastructure and laboratory services - confirmed that about £14.3 million had already been spent on the project since the outline business case was approved. He also noted additional costs were incurred before this on aspects such as preparing the business case, bringing total estimated spending to nearly £20 million.

On social media, county councillor and deputy leader of North Kesteven District Council Ian Carrington said the project was key to reducing congestion.

He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "The Government's stopped its share of cash for the Hykeham Relief Road 'pending review'. It's vital to get traffic out of our villages. I'm surveying Harmston & Coleby to help Lincolnshire County Council's campaign to save the road."