It has been one of my top priorities to secure funding for the North Hykeham Relief Road since becoming your MP. I am therefore delighted that the Chancellor used the Spending Review today to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the project, with the Department for Transport confirming that it will contribute up to £110m towards the full cost of the scheme. The road represents the final section of the Lincoln bypass and once built will complete the ring road around the City of Lincoln.
This will make a huge difference to the lives of my constituents in North Hykeham who currently experience some of the worst traffic congestion in the country. A survey I conducted last year highlighted the severity of this issue, with constituents sharing their horror stories of a one mile round trip taking nearly an hour, leading to some not even bothering to leave the house during rush hour.
I shared these concerns in meetings with the Prime Minister and the Transport Secretary and I'm glad they have recognised the importance of this scheme. In recent months I've also had meetings with the Transport Minister, Baroness Vere, Ruth Carver and Sue Groves at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, and I've corresponded with those working on the bid in Lincolnshire County Council to help push the project towards receiving approval for the funding it needs from the Department for Transport.
I look forward to continuing to work with the LEP, LCC and my Parliamentary colleagues to keep the momentum going and help to get this vital infrastructure project underway as soon as possible.
