The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 8 September 2025 to review the performance of the council's highways service, discuss major infrastructure projects, and consider road safety initiatives. Key decisions included the approval of several strategic resurfacing schemes and the Spalding-Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway.

Regional Rail and Strategic Role in Providing Connectivity

The committee received an update on the regional rail network's role in supporting Lincolnshire's communities and economy. Representatives from Network Rail and East Midlands Railway (EMR) provided information on infrastructure requirements and local service changes. Network Rail's Eastern Region is progressing route studies for the East Midlands and East Coast Mainline, which will inform future service and infrastructure needs up to 2040-45. The Lincolnshire Strategic Advice study, published in 2023, identified potential rail scheme investment options to support passenger and freight growth.

EMR will be increasing services between Lincoln and Nottingham from one train per hour to two from December 2025, extending existing services from Crewe to Lincoln. However, customers travelling between Lincoln and Leicester will need to change at Nottingham or Long Eaton. The transition to Great British Railways (GBR) is expected by the end of 2027, aiming to integrate rail infrastructure and passenger services under a single body. The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) will become the Local Transport Authority in Spring 2026, developing a new Transport Plan.

Highways Performance Report, Year 6 Quarter 1

Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client, presented the Highways Performance Report for the first quarter of Year 6 (April to June 2025). The overall Alliance score was 86.5 out of 100, a slight decrease from the previous quarter. The Client Authority Measures score dropped to 81.0, attributed to missed key dates in early contractor involvement. However, the Highway Works Term Contract with Balfour Beatty saw a significant improvement, scoring 91.6, its highest since 2020. The Professional Services Contract with WSP scored 82.32, an increase from the previous quarter, while the Traffic Signals Term Contract with Colas saw a notable decrease to 79.5, largely due to a new performance indicator for financial close-out of jobs.

Contract extensions were noted for Balfour Beatty (until March 2032) and WSP (until March 2028). The Traffic Signals Contract with Colas will not be extended, with a new contract awarded to Swarco from April 2026. The combined capital and revenue budget for Highway Maintenance in 2025/26 is approximately £110 million. Balfour Beatty reported improvements in reactive services and emergency response times, and a second trial of the Pothole Pro is scheduled. WSP's pipeline remains strong, supporting various specialist tasks. Colas experienced workforce challenges but is managing the transition to Swarco. The report highlighted an increase in carriageway deterioration due to ground movement in drought-susceptible areas, which may impact the budget or strategic objectives.

The committee reviewed the complaints report, which showed 47 formal complaints in Quarter 1, a 65% decrease year-on-year. Potholes, scheduled maintenance, and verge maintenance were the most common reasons for complaints.

Highways Major Project Update Report

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

• Grantham Southern Relief Road (GSRR): Section 3 is ongoing, with recent activity focused on the complex bridge launch process. Challenges encountered have affected the programme, leading to delays. Reinforced concrete works are progressing on the eastern side of the Witham Valley.
• North Hykeham Relief Road: The project has secured planning permission and received a low number of objections to the statutory legal orders. A public inquiry concluded with only two remaining objections. The Final Business Case is nearing completion, and enabling works, including the diversion of an oil pipeline, are scheduled to begin in August 2025. Main construction is forecast for early 2026.
• Levelling Up Fund Projects (LUF): All schemes funded by the Levelling Up programme, including roundabout improvements and active travel initiatives in Boston and Spalding, were completed on time and within budget.
• Sincil Bank: This regeneration scheme in Lincoln, jointly delivered by Lincolnshire County Council and City of Lincoln Council, aims to improve mobility and the public realm. Highway elements were completed on programme by March 2025. The County Council is now managing the delivery of gateway and greening elements, expected to commence in late 2025.
• Nettleham Road Roundabout: Public engagement showed strong support for the scheme. The next step is to submit a planning application for the footbridge, which is dependent on an adjacent developer amending their planning permission. Land acquisition agreements are in place, with works anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027.
• Bailgate, Lincoln: To address the deterioration of existing setts, a scheme to relay them on a rigid foundation is proposed, reusing approximately 70% of existing materials. Works are expected to commence in early 2026 and last for four months, with community engagement planned in advance due to potential traffic management disruptions.
• Yarborough Hill: Evidence of ground movement has been identified, and a ground stabilisation solution is being designed. Stabilisation works could commence in summer 2026, potentially involving significant traffic management and disruption.
• Carholme Road Carriageway Reconstruction: Following previous works, the next phase of improvements is progressing well, focusing on essential civil engineering works, including drainage, footways, and kerb lines. The carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing will follow.
• Metheringham Crossroads: A feasibility study recommended the installation of traffic signals at this junction, identified as a collision hotspot and a point of significant congestion. The scheme is moving into the detailed design stage.

Road Safety Partnership Annual Report

Steve Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) Senior Manager, presented the annual report, highlighting that in 2024, 52 people were killed and 379 seriously injured on Lincolnshire's roads. While there has been a sustained reduction in Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties since 2011, there was a slight increase in KSI casualties in 2024 compared to 2023. The majority of KSI casualties occur on rural roads, and high-risk groups include high-powered two-wheel motor vehicle riders, young drivers (17-24), and mature road users (60+).

The LRSP, a multi-agency partnership, focuses on engineering, education, and enforcement. Engineering efforts include accident investigation and prevention works, with examples such as pedestrian crossing improvements and speed limit reductions. Enforcement activities include speed camera operations and campaigns like Operation Octane for motorcyclists. The Community Speed Watch scheme continues to expand, with over 1,500 trained volunteers. Operation Snap allows the public to submit dashcam footage of driving offences. Education and training programmes are delivered to schools and colleges, covering topics from pedestrian safety to young driver awareness. A new, improved 2fast2soon programme for sixth formers is being launched. The report also detailed the LRSP's budget for 2024/25. The committee was invited to review the report and seek assurance on the partnership's work.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme for the coming year. Additional items confirmed for future meetings include reports on transport and road safety performance for quarters one and two, and a pre-decision scrutiny report on the Revised Definitive Map Modification Order Prioritisation Policy. Members requested confirmation that officers from the Highways Custody Liaison Team and those responsible for the Rail Recovery scheme would attend future meetings. The committee noted the report and endorsed the existing work programme, with additional items to be reflected in the next iteration.

Decisions Made:

• Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme: The Committee supported the recommendation to approve the proposed Bailgate, Lincoln Scheme.
• Spalding – Pinchbeck NMU Route: The Committee supported the proposed recommendation to approve the Spalding – Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway Tender Award.
• Strategic Resurfacing Schemes: The Committee voted separately on and supported the proposed recommendations to approve the A6121 Ryhall Road, Stamford SRS, the A17/A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate SRS, and the A52 Leverton and Haltoft End SRS. Councillor T E Sneath abstained from the vote on the A17/A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate SRS.
• Highways Performance Report, Year 5 Quarter 4: The report was endorsed, and the Committee's satisfaction was recorded regarding assurances received from Officers. Comments from the discussion were to be cascaded across relevant teams and shared with the portfolio holder.
• Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme: The Committee noted the report and endorsed the existing work programme, with additional items to be reflected in the next published iteration.