The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee reviewed a range of performance reports and proposed transport infrastructure projects. Key discussions included the Investing in Lincolnshire: Local Transport Grant Programme, where several schemes were put forward for potential funding, and the Highways Performance Report, which detailed progress on maintenance, road conditions, and complaints. The committee also considered the Civil Parking Enforcement Annual Report, noting a deficit in service provision, and reviewed the committee's work programme for the upcoming year.

Investing in Lincolnshire: Local Transport Grant Programme

The committee considered a report on the Investing in Lincolnshire: Local Transport Grant Programme, which outlines potential transport infrastructure investments across the county. Sam Edwards, Head of Highways and Economic Infrastructure, presented a programme of projects seeking funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA). These projects, detailed in appendices A to O of the public reports pack¹, range from road widening and junction improvements to active travel schemes and bus infrastructure upgrades. Councillor Reeve expressed approval for the A15 to county boundary widening project, highlighting its necessity due to the road's current inadequacy for modern vehicle sizes. Councillor Wright supported the Sleaford to Ruskington Active Travels scheme, noting its importance for a well-used route. Councillor Vernon questioned the selection process for the schemes and requested to see the full long list of considered projects. Councillor Bean raised concerns about the lack of projects in the North Walls area and highlighted the dangerous junction at Cayster Top. Councillor Christopher supported the A15 project and the cycle route improvements, but sought clarity on how the Rugby Road roundabout improvements would be managed in conjunction with the cycle provision. The committee ultimately agreed to review and scrutinise the report to the Executive Council for Highways and Transport.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026/27

Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, presented the proposed Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for 2026/27. The framework includes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Highways, Transport, and Road Safety. Councillor Clark inquired about the inclusion of pathways within the KPIs, while Councillor Reeve raised concerns about traffic management and diversion organisation. Councillor Christopher questioned the ambition of the public satisfaction targets, suggesting more achievable short-term goals. Councillor Vernon expressed reservations about the necessity of certain KPIs, particularly those related to educational transport and road safety, arguing they lacked clear targets. Councillor Bean sought reassurance that the pursuit of KPIs would not detrimentally affect the completion of essential tasks. Councillor Reid advocated for maintaining high benchmark targets to avoid complacency. The committee agreed to review and scrutinise the report to the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport.

Highways Performance Report, Year 6 Quarter 4

Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, presented the Highways Performance Report for Year 6, Quarter 4 (January to March 2026). The report detailed performance across various contracts, including a drop in the Highway Works Term Contract score due to a significant increase in job numbers, particularly potholes, following adverse weather. Actions were taken to increase resources, and a performance improvement plan was requested. The Traffic Signals contract, operated by Colas, showed notable improvement in performance scores. Councillor Vernon raised concerns about the drop in Balfour Beatty's performance and the increase in complaints, while also acknowledging Colas' positive performance at the end of their contract. He also questioned the focus on surface dressing in the budget. Councillor Christopher highlighted issues with gully cleansing and the responses provided via FixMyStreet, suggesting improvements to manage public expectations. Councillor Reeve inquired about the speed of deployment for innovative surveying techniques. Councillor Wright echoed concerns about FixMyStreet, particularly regarding inaccurate updates. Councillor Clarke raised questions about the condition of drainage systems and the response to flooding incidents. The committee agreed to review and comment on the detail of the performance report and recommend any changes or actions to the Executive Member for Highways and Transport.

Service Level Performance Reporting: Education Transport and Road Safety

Mike Reed, Head of Transport, and Steven Batchelor, Senior Manager of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, presented the Service Level Performance Reporting for Education Transport and Road Safety for Quarter 4 of 2025-26. For Education Transport, PI 198 showed 74.3% of applications were approved, with a significant increase in applications received in March. PI 199 indicated an average of 2.36 days for eligibility decisions, which was commended. PI 200 showed 11.4% of contracts were for single occupancy travel. Councillor Vernon raised concerns about communication regarding transport eligibility and inquired about the cost and reasons for the increase in personal travel budgets. For Road Safety, PI 11 reported 110 people killed or seriously injured, and PI 12 reported 3 children killed or seriously injured, figures described as being in alignment with previous quarters. Councillor Christopher questioned the benchmarking data for road safety, and Councillor Vernon sought reassurance that detailed demographic data would continue to be included in future reports. Councillor Clarke asked for a breakdown of pedestrian casualties. The committee agreed to consider and be satisfied with the Education, Transport and Road Safety service level performance for 2025-26 as of Quarter 4.

Civil Parking Enforcement Annual Report 2025-2026

Matt Jones, Parking Services Manager, presented the Civil Parking Enforcement Annual Report for 2025-2026. The report highlighted a deficit in service provision, with costs exceeding income, and noted that CPE reserves were being drawn down. Councillor Reeve expressed concern about the increasing deficit and supported raising penalty fees. Councillor Cheyne inquired about the monitoring of parking infringement hotspots. Councillor King raised concerns about parking issues around schools, particularly the timing of patrols. Councillor Christopher congratulated the team on an award for school parking work and inquired about unpaid penalty charge notices and the five-minute waiting rule on double yellow lines. Councillor Clarke echoed congratulations and raised concerns about historical parking issues at schools. Councillor Vernon highlighted the rising nuisance parking and the financial sustainability of the service. The committee agreed to review and comment on the report and endorse it for publication on the County Council's website.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, presented the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme. The upcoming meeting on 14 September 2026 was noted to have six substantive items, including charging for H-bar markings and performance reports. An informal Q&A session on local bus services was also scheduled. Sean Butcher, Head of Asset and Local Management Services, added that revised traffic policies would be brought forward for inclusion in the programme. The committee agreed to approve the planned work programme for 2026-27, subject to the consideration of items highlighted in the day's discussions.

Local Transport Grant Programme and Other Infrastructure Projects

The committee also reviewed several business cases for potential Local Transport Grant funding. These included:

• A15 Caenby Corner to County Boundary Road Widening: Aimed at improving safety on a narrow strategic route.
• A15 Riseholme Lane Junction: Proposed ghost island right-turn lane to address collision risks.
• A16 Crowland Roundabout Improvements: To increase capacity and reduce congestion.
• A158 Kennel Lane to Wragby Road Roundabout Active Travel Scheme: To create a safer walking and cycling link.
• Bracebridge Heath Active Travel: To improve the walking and cycling corridor linking the Lincoln Eastern Bypass to Bracebridge Heath village.
• Bus Shelter Access Improvements: To create safer, wheelchair-accessible routes to bus shelters in rural areas.
• Bus Station Improvements: To upgrade bus station infrastructure across the county.
• Reepham to Fiskerton Active Travel Link: To provide a continuous walking and cycling route.
• Welton Roundabout to Nettleham Road Roundabout Active Travel Scheme: To improve walking and cycling infrastructure on this key route.
• Spalding Western Relief Road (SWRR) Section 1: A significant infrastructure project to support housing growth and improve traffic flow.
• Stamford, Park Lane: Highway improvements including carriageway and footway reconstruction and parking formalisation.

These business cases were presented for scrutiny prior to decisions by the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport. Councillor Vernon, Councillor Wright, Councillor Bean, and Councillor Christopher all raised points regarding specific schemes, including the A158 Kennel Lane to Wragby Road Roundabout Active Travel Scheme, the Spalding Western Relief Road, and the A16 Crowland Roundabout improvements. The committee agreed to review and scrutinise these reports.