Works to improve the stone blocks along Bailgate started today.
Cllr Michael Cheyne, executive member for highways, said: “I’m glad to announce that works to improve the carriageway along Lincoln’s Bailgate have officially begun.
“This will be a massive undertaking over the next three months, with the team working in phases to remove 49,000 stone blocks and re-lay them on a much stronger mortar base. In total, we expect to re-use roughly 32,000 of the existing blocks, with the rest replaced with like-for-like.”
The first phase of works, located between The White Hart Hotel and Westgate, will be underway until early February. During this time, the following traffic management will be in place:
- Access maintained between Coffee by the Arch and Prince of Wales, then onto Westgate
- Chapel Lane and East Bight open as normal
- Parking bays open between Coffee by the Arch and The County Assembly Rooms
- No parking permitted between The White Hart Hotel and Westgate
- No parking permitted between Bailgate and Minster Yard
- Diversion route via Newport/Church Lane to Northgate, near The Lincoln Hotel
Once this first phase is complete, the team will move onto the section of Bailgate between Westgate and Newport Arch for a month.
Cllr Cheyne added: “With this being one of Lincoln’s busiest areas, we’ve phased the works so the contractor is working in smaller, localised areas before moving onto the next. This means far less disruption than if the whole of Bailgate was closed for three months.
“I also want to remind everyone that all of the footways along Bailgate will remain open, which means it will be business as usual while the works are happening.
“All of the nearby carparks will also be open throughout the works for anyone travelling by car. On-street parking will also be available, albeit with some bays closed as we work our way up the carriageway.
“I know these works will be disruptive to many, so I want to thank everyone in advance for their patience. When finished, the newly-laid stone blocks will be safer for anyone using Bailgate and should be relatively maintenance-free for the next twenty years.”
Please note that a dedicated public liaison officer has been appointed for the project who will be the main point-of-contact for any construction-related queries or arrangements. Her name is Sophie Ward-Owen, and she can be reached on 07495 916383 or sophie.ward-owen@owen-partners.co.uk.
The project is expected to cost £1.7 million and will be fully funded by Lincolnshire County Council.
For more information about the project, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bailgate.