The Lincolnshire County Council's Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee met on 8 September 2025, and members reviewed the regional rail strategy, highways performance, major projects, and road safety initiatives. The committee supported a recommendation to approve the proposed Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme, and also supported the proposed recommendation to approve the Spalding – Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway tender award. The committee also supported recommendations to approve three strategic resurfacing schemes for the A6121 Ryhall Road, Stamford, the A17/A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate, and the A52 Leverton and Haltoft End.

Strategic Road Surfacing Schemes

The committee considered three reports regarding strategic resurfacing schemes (SRS) for the A6121 Ryhall Road, Stamford, the A17/A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate, and the A52 Leverton and Haltoft End. Steve Brooks, Senior Project Leader, confirmed that the reports shared the same fundamental principles, with differences only in specific details such as location, cost, treatment type, and scheme size.

The reports sought approval for the procurement process and awarding of contracts for each of the three schemes. The committee supported the recommendations for all three schemes. Councillor T E Sneath, Chairman, abstained from the vote on the A17/A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate SRS, because he was the County Councillor for the involved division.

The A6121 Ryhall Road, Stamford scheme would incorporate the replacement of two push-button pedestrian crossings while crews were on site.

Alternative options that were considered but not recommended included:

• Not awarding a contract
• Patch and repair
• Alternative surfacing materials
• Recycling treatments

The recommended approach was full resurfacing, involving planing off the existing carriageway and laying new bitumen-based tarmac.

Officers provided assurances that the Lincolnshire Laboratory undertook detailed surveys and condition assessments to inform the appropriate depth and method of treatment. They also confirmed that verge reinstatement was a formal element of all surfacing contracts.

Spalding – Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway

The committee reviewed a report by Chris Miller, Head of Environment, and Dom Fieldhouse-Gray, Sustainable Travel Officer, regarding the Spalding – Pinchbeck NMU Route. The report sought the committee's approval and comments on the scheme, prior to a decision by the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport, and the Executive Councillor for Resources.

The proposed route covers five sections parallel to Pinchbeck Road, with the cycling route separated from the carriageway and featuring improved signage. The initial tender would cover sections one and two, funded by £1.8 million previously allocated to a separate project that did not progress. The route would be monitored for three years post-construction to determine average usage, and the scheme would be delivered alongside a planned resurfacing of Pinchbeck Road.

Officers clarified that the earlier scheme that was cancelled pertained to Brayford Wharf East in Lincoln and had been discontinued due to negative public feedback following the trial phase.

Members voiced their support for the scheme, highlighting potential benefits for local businesses and shift workers. Officers noted that local businesses had shown support for the route and had been actively promoting workplace cycling incentives for staff.

Officers assured members that the route would be covered by pre-existing maintenance regimes, with funding determined via the network's length and special items such as bridges.

The committee supported the proposed recommendation to approve the Spalding – Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway Tender Award. Councillor I Sheard declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Lincolnshire County Councillor for the area and abstained from the vote.

Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme

The committee considered a report from Karl Gibson, Senior Project Leader, regarding the Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme. Adam Round, Design Delivery Manager, presented the report, detailing the structural background of the project and available implementation options. The report recommended the implementation of Option One.

Concerns were raised about the previous implementation's vulnerability to displacement from mechanical street sweeping. Officers assured that the proposed scheme would utilise a cementitious grout and base. Regarding the robustness of the £254,000 risk and contingency allowance, officers noted the reusability of the existing stonework and a successful previous trial area, expressing confidence that the budget would be sufficient.

The committee supported the recommendation to approve the proposed Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme.

Highways Performance Report

Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, presented the Highways Performance Report, Year 6 Quarter 1 (1 April to 30 June 2025). The report provided a summary of performance in relation to the council's highways services, including quarterly performance data for key contracts and strategic highlights.

Key points from the report included:

• Performance Scores:

  • Alliance Strategic Objectives: 86.5/100
  • Client Authority Measures: 81/100
  • Highway Works Term Service Contract (Balfour Beatty): 91.6/100
  • Professional Services Contract (WSP): 82.32/100
  • Traffic Signals Term Contract (Colas): 79.5/100

• Contract Updates:

  • The Highways Works contract with Balfour Beatty had been extended to 31 March 2032.
  • The Professional Services Contract with WSP had been extended to 31 March 2028.
  • The Traffic Signals contract with Colas would not be extended, with a new contract awarded to Swarco commencing 1 April 2026.

• Budget:

  • The combined capital and reactive budget for Highway Maintenance was approximately £110 million for 2025/26.

• Highway Works Term Contract (Balfour Beatty):

  • 10,733 faults repaired, including 12,774 carriageway potholes.

• Professional Services Contract (WSP):

  • WSP was supporting Green Light Fund initiatives to improve traffic flow.

• Traffic Signals Term Contract (Colas):

  • 83 emergency faults and 485 standard faults were attended within required timeframes.

• Complaints and Customer Feedback:

  • The Highway Service received 7,796 FixMyStreet enquiries and 8,306 calls and emails.
  • 47 formal complaints were received (0.29% of contacts).
  • Communication remained the top issue (36% of complaints).

• Road Condition Statistics:

  • Principal Roads (A roads): 2.5% requiring maintenance (better than the national average).
  • Non-Principal Roads (B & C roads): 6.2% requiring maintenance (slightly worse than the national average).
  • Unclassified Roads: 23.2% requiring maintenance (worse than the national average).

During the discussion, officers clarified that Balfour Beatty and Colas contracts had operated under a target cost model with a gain-share mechanism based on performance indicators. They also confirmed that training had been underway for pothole pro operators and reinstatement crews.

The committee endorsed the report and requested that comments from the discussion be cascaded across relevant teams and shared with the portfolio holder.

Regional Rail and Strategic Role

The committee received an update on the Regional Rail and Strategic Role in Providing Connectivity, Supporting Lincolnshire Communities and the Economy. Jayne Wingad, Rail Policy Officer, presented a position report paper featuring updates from Network Rail and East Midlands Railway (EMR).

Jonathan Boot, Public Affairs Manager, East Midlands Route, and James Bradley, Lead Strategic Planner (South), Eastern Strategic Planning, provided an update on rail infrastructure renewal schemes, including station accessibility and longer-term future planning. They noted that Lincolnshire County Council geography is in the Eastern Region of Network Rail, which has four routes: East Coast Route, East Midlands Route, North and East Route, and Anglia.

Chris Patman, Strategic Timetable Development Manager, and George Selby, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, from East Midlands Railway updated members on regional service provision and fleet, including changes to EMR regional services planned for December 2025. The timetable starting on 14 December 2025, would significantly uplift the service provision between Lincoln and Nottingham, from one train every hour to two, by extending existing Crewe<>Newark Castle services to Lincoln.

Road Safety Partnership Annual Report

Steve Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, presented the Road Safety Partnership Annual Report. The report provided an update on fatal, and killed and serious injury (KSI) casualty figures for Lincolnshire, and data on trends, comparisons, and areas of priority.

Key points from the report included:

• In 2024, 52 people were killed and 379 seriously injured on Lincolnshire roads.
• The cost of each fatality was estimated at £2.4 million.
• The majority of KSI casualties occur on the rural road network and are more likely to be male.
• High-risk groups include high-powered Two-Wheel Motor Vehicle (TWMV) riders, young drivers (17-24 years), and mature road users (60 years+).
• In 2024, there was a year-on-year decrease in KSI injuries to mature road users (60 years+), children (0-15), pedestrians, and low-powered motorbike riders, but increases in high-powered motorbike riders, pedal cyclists, and 17–24-year-old drivers.
• The highest contributory factor in fatal collisions was 'Driver/rider being aggressive, dangerous or reckless'.

The committee was invited to review the report and seek assurance on the work being undertaken by the Road Safety Partnership to reduce the number of people killed and injured on county roads.

Highways Major Project Update Report

Sam Edwards, Head of Highways Infrastructure and Laboratory Services, provided an update on the progress of major highways projects in Lincolnshire.

• Grantham Southern Relief Road (GSRR): Section 3 is ongoing, with challenges encountered during the bridge launch affecting the overall programme.
• North Hykeham Relief Road: A Public Inquiry into the orders was held in July 2025, with the Inspector's report expected in September 2025. Enabling works are being prepared, with construction forecast for early 2026.
• Levelling Up Fund Projects (LUF): All works were completed on time and within budget, including the Marsh Lane Roundabout in Boston and the Springfield Road Roundabout in Spalding.
• Sincil Bank: Works commenced in September 2024 and are progressing smoothly, with completion expected in early 2025.
• Nettleham Road Roundabout: Public engagement took place in July 2025 and received overwhelming support.
• Bailgate: Works are expected to commence in early 2026 and will take approximately four months to complete.
• Yarborough Hill: Ground stabilisation works are anticipated to commence in summer 2026.
• Carholme Road Carriageway Reconstruction: Works began in early July 2025 and are progressing well.
• Metheringham Crossroads: The scheme is now moving into the detailed design stage.

The committee was asked to review and comment on the detail contained in the report.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, presented the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme, enabling the committee to comment on its content for the coming year. Members requested confirmation that officers of the Highways Custody Liaison Team would attend the scrutiny panel for discussion, and clarification for Officers responsible for the Rail Recovery scheme to attend the meeting in person. The committee noted the report and endorsed the existing work programme.