The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 08 June 2026 to discuss the Winter Service Plan for 2026/27 and the Nettleham Road Roundabout Scheme. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Winter Service Plan 2026/27

The committee considered the proposed Winter Service Plan for 2026/27, which outlines how the council will maintain safe passage on roads during snow and ice. Claire Dixon, Policy and Asset Manager, Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, and Darryl Redford, Network Resilience Manager, presented the plan. No policy changes are proposed for the upcoming year, reflecting a stable and effective service. The plan details the council's commitment to maintaining a 9,250 km road network, with 3,018 km designated as the precautionary salting network. The service operates 43 gritters, supported by four spares, and maintains significant salt stock, starting the season with a minimum of 25,000 tons. The budget for 2026/27 is set at £3.927 million, an increase from £3.456 million in 2025/26, to allow for an average of 71 gritting runs.

Councillors raised several points, including the cost of cross-border agreements (which are cost-neutral), driver recruitment and retention, and the provision of information on footpaths included in the salting network. Concerns were also raised about the replacement of damaged grit bins, with officers clarifying that bins on gritted roads are not replaced. The council's commitment to community engagement, including naming gritters and working with schools, was highlighted. Discussions also touched upon the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on future winter service operations and the ongoing route optimisation programme. The committee acknowledged the report and passed its comments to the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport for consideration.

Nettleham Road Roundabout (Scheme)

The committee reviewed the Nettleham Road Roundabout (Scheme) report, presented by Sam Edwards, Head of Highways and Economic Infrastructure. This scheme, which has been in discussion since 2017-18, aims to improve traffic flow, safety, and connectivity. The proposal includes upgrading the roundabout with additional lanes and a grade-separated footway and cycle bridge. The estimated cost range for the scheme is between £7.4 million and £12.1 million, with a fully grant-funded budget of £11.8 million.

Councillors expressed support for the scheme, particularly the inclusion of the footbridge to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Discussions covered the rationale for the footbridge, which aligns with active travel strategies and addresses safety concerns on National Cycle Network Route 1. The potential impact on the Rugby Road roundabout and future network improvements were also discussed. Concerns were raised about the cost estimate range and how it might increase, with officers explaining that the range accounts for variables and risk. The potential for using advanced paints to mitigate graffiti on the new bridge was also raised. The committee acknowledged the report and passed its comments to the Executive Councillors for Highways and Transport and Resources for their consideration.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme. The agenda for the upcoming meeting on 20 July 2026 includes items on Local Transport Grant Projects, Highways Quarter 4 Performance Report, the Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework, and Road Safety and Transport Performance Reports. Future items to be programmed include the Lincolnshire Highways Social Value, Streetworks Charter, and Highways Innovation Update. Councillors raised points about the disparity in the number of substantive items on different meeting agendas and requested consideration of a review of issues on the East Midlands Railways line to Skegness. The committee approved the planned work programme, subject to the consideration of items highlighted during the discussion.