Works to improve the stone blocks along Bailgate are more than halfway finished.
Cllr David East, executive member for highways, said: "I’m very happy to say that our improvements to Lincoln’s Bailgate have officially passed their midway point.
"Since starting in January, we’ve spent over 5,000 hours on the scheme, with over 34,000 stone blocks removed and re-laid on a stronger mortar base. The area between Westgate and The White Hart Hotel and the junction linking Westgate and Bailgate are all but complete, with some minor joint sealing left to finish when the weather is dry enough.
“We’ve also repaired some sections of underground drainage and installed three new streetlights on Bailgate, plus one on Westgate, since starting.
“When finished, the carriageway along Bailgate will be safer and essentially maintenance-free for the next twenty or more years. This means a higher footfall thanks to a more attractive streetscape and a reduced number of future closures down the line.”
“Lincoln’s Bailgate is not just a road, but it’s one of the city’s most historic streets due to it’s proximity to Newport Arch and the Cathedral Quarter. This scheme sets out to modernise the local infrastructure while preserving the area’s historic character and protecting its heritage assets. This will allow Bailgate to continue as one of the county’s most thriving thoroughfares.”
Project completion
Sam Edwards, head of highways infrastructure, said: “At the moment, we are continuing to work between Newport Arch and Westgate, ahead of moving onto Westgate, between Greggs and The Castle Hotel, from mid to late March.
“Unfortunately, the extended period of wet weather we’ve recently experienced has led to us needing more time to finish this important project.
“As part of our commitment to supporting peak trading in the area, we will still be removing all traffic management and road closures during the Easter period – from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April. We will then return to site to complete the section between Newport and Newport Arch for two weeks and the area outside Westgate Academy for one week.
“I want to stress that Bailgate will be accessible for vehicles from Good Friday, with all existing parking bays open for people to use for the remainder of the project.
“I also want to remind everyone that all of Bailgate’s businesses are open as usual and will remain fully accessible throughout the scheme – including during National Grid’s footway works. This means locals and visitors can continue using the area’s eateries and shops like normal.”
Below is an overview of work that will be completed after Easter (subject to suitable weather conditions):
- Phase 5 – the raised crossing outside Westgate Academy (w/c 13th April for one week)
- Bailgate open as normal
- All existing parking bays will be open
- Access to Westgate 1 and St Paul’s Lane short stay car park available
- No through-traffic outside of Westgate Academy
- Phase 4B – from Newport to Newport Arch (w/c 20th April for two weeks)
- Chapel Lane and East Bight open as normal
- All traffic will be diverted to Chapel Lane then onto Bailgate
- The area between Newport and Newport Arch will be the only section of Bailgate not open
- All existing parking bays will be open
- Diversion route via Newport / Rasen Lane / Burton Road / Westgate / Chapel Lane / Bailgate
Collaborative working with National Grid
Cllr David East said: “We are committed to working collaboratively with other organisations to keep disruption on our roads to a minimum. That is why we’ve organised for National Grid to carry out their own essential works in the area during our Bailgate improvements.
“Dovetailing National Grid’s cable upgrade with our works will save local businesses and residents from repeated disruption in the future. This means a longer, maintenance-free period for the area once all the works are complete.”
Below are details of the works due to be carried out in conjunction with the Bailgate improvement project:
- National Grid
- Works overview: Upgrades to a cable in the footway between Westgate and Gordon Road. This upgrade is required to improve the resilience of the electricity network in Lincoln and will allow National Grid to upgrade other substations in Lincoln. This is the last piece of cable to upgrade on this route and is part of wider upgrade works.
- Dates: w/c 16th March for up to two weeks
- Traffic management: The footway and parking bays from Westgate to Gordon Road will be closed. Pedestrians will be safely routed through a pedestrian walkway in the existing parking bays, with ramps across the closed section of footway for full access to shops. Parking will be completely open from Newport Arch through to Westgate.
Cllr East added: “I want to thank everyone affected by these improvements for the their ongoing patience and support. In the meantime, we will continue working as efficiently as possible over the next two months.”
For more information about the project, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bailgate.