Reduced city centre traffic, better public transport and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians are all part of the new vision for the future of transport in Lincoln.
Lincolnshire County Council, working in partnership with City of Lincoln Council, North Kesteven District Council and West Lindsey District Council, has drawn up a new strategy for Lincoln that aims to improve transport and support future development to 2036 and beyond.
The draft strategy is set to be reviewed by the county council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee on Monday 9 March.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: "One of the main goals behind Lincoln's new transport strategy is to offer a wider range of affordable, reliable and environmentally-friendly travel options for people to choose from when moving in and around the city.
"This will lead to more people using alternative forms of transport, resulting in less congestion and better air quality in the city centre, making Lincoln a more prosperous, attractive and healthier place to live, learn, work and visit."
Some of the proposals within the strategy include:
- Completing Lincoln's ring road by constructing the North Hykeham Relief Road
- Providing high-quality, traffic-free routes for pedestrians and cyclists
- Improving the A46 to the north and west of Lincoln
- Enhancing walking and cycling infrastructure within Lincoln
- Creating 'mobility hubs' around the city that offer a range of transport options from a single location
- Enhancing Lincoln’s historic core by improving the area around Broadgate and Wigford Way/St Mary's Street
- Installing additional electrical charging points in and around the city to increase uptake in electric vehicles
- Improving bus priority around the city via new bus lanes and new routes
- Continue improving the area's rail service by increasing and adding new services to other urban areas
Cllr Davies continued: "This strategy provides a number of proposals for us, developers and planners to consider over the next fifteen years as we strive towards meeting growth targets for the area that include approximately 37,000 new dwellings and 12,000 new jobs up to 2036.
"Getting the North Hykeham Relief Road built as dual carriageway is a top priority, as it will help cut congestion, open up new development land and better connect the rest of the country to Lincolnshire’s coast.
"Another proposal in the strategy, probably one of our most ambitious, is to build a set of mobility hubs at key points outside the city.
"In essence, these would serve as an interchange for people travelling into Lincoln by offering alternative means of travelling into the city centre by car.
"For example, the hubs might include a city centre bus shuttle, electric-vehicle charging, Park & Bike, e-bike hire and delivery lockers.
“Combined with other measures, like improving bus and rail services, the strategy aims to ensure Lincoln has the infrastructure it needs to meet travel demands over the coming decades.
“The challenge now is finding the funding needed to make these improvements a reality. And the only way we’re going to be able to do that is if everyone gets behind the plan and works together.”
For more information or to view the strategy summary, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincoln-transport-strategy.