Six months on from construction starting on the North Hykeham Relief Road and major progress is being made across Lincolnshire’s largest infrastructure project.
Since the groundbreaking ceremony on 17th March, work has gathered pace across the five-mile route, with large-scale earthworks, materials recycling and construction access routes now helping transform plans for the new road into reality.
Cllr David East, executive member for highways, said: “Six months on from breaking ground, it is fantastic to see just how much progress has already been made on the North Hykeham Relief Road.
“This is one of the biggest and most complex infrastructure projects Lincolnshire has ever delivered, and there is now major construction activity taking place across the route.
“We have completed the main site compound, established the infrastructure needed to support construction, begun one of the largest earthworks operations on the project and opened the temporary bridge over the River Witham to construction traffic. Not only that, but the project team has also taken on eight local employees and one apprentice, as well as spending over £30,000 with local businesses.
“All of this is laying the foundations for the road itself and the many structures that will eventually form part of the finished scheme.”
Rob Lockwood, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: "We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made over the past six months on the North Hykeham Relief Road project, including the completion of the site compound which will serve as a hub for our employees and local supply chain partners throughout the delivery of the project.
"As we now move into major earthwork delivery, we will continue working closely with our project partners to deliver the new road safely and efficiently while minimising disruption for the travelling public."
Building the foundations for the new road
One of the most significant activities now underway is the project’s major earthworks operation, which involves excavating, moving and shaping huge quantities of material to create the foundations for the new carriageway, bridges, drainage systems and junctions.
Over the lifetime of the project, around 1.2 million tonnes of material will be excavated, with more than one million tonnes reused on site.
This includes around 250,000 tonnes of limestone being excavated from the Lincoln Cliff area, processed and incorporated back into the new road rather than being removed as waste and replaced with imported materials.
Cllr East said: “Reusing material directly within the project is a major part of our approach to building the relief road as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
“It means fewer lorry movements on local roads, lower carbon emissions and less waste, while also delivering savings worth millions of pounds for taxpayers.
“The material being processed now will help form embankments and structural layers for the new road, so this is a very visible example of how what is being excavated today is helping build the infrastructure Lincolnshire will benefit from for generations to come.”
Temporary bridge now carrying construction traffic
Another major milestone has been reached with the completion of the temporary bridge over the River Witham, which is now being used by construction traffic.
The 100-tonne bridge forms part of the project’s dedicated 8km haul road, providing a safe and efficient route for construction vehicles moving between different parts of the scheme.
Over the course of the project, the haul road is expected to remove more than 150,000 construction vehicle movements from local roads, helping reduce congestion, noise and disruption for local communities. The temporary bridge itself is expected to carry more than 100,000 construction vehicle movements while the relief road is being built.
Cllr East said: “The completion of the temporary River Witham bridge is another important step forward. It is already playing a key role in allowing construction traffic to move around the site without having to use local roads wherever possible.
“While this bridge is temporary, the benefits it provides during construction are very real. Keeping large numbers of construction vehicles away from local communities helps reduce the impact of the works on residents, businesses and everyday journeys.”
The operational heart of the project
The project has also reached an important milestone with the completion of its main site compound off the A46.
Covering around 15,000 square metres, the compound will act as the central operational hub for the project throughout construction.
The facility includes 48 cabins and buildings, providing office space, welfare facilities and areas for planning and coordinating work across the site. Around 300 people are expected to be based there during the project, alongside the many local contractors and suppliers supporting the wider scheme.
Having a dedicated base at the heart of the route will help teams coordinate complex construction activities, improve efficiency and safety, and support the delivery of the project over the coming years.
Benefits already reaching local communities
While the North Hykeham Relief Road will deliver its biggest benefits once complete, the project is also creating positive opportunities for local communities during construction.
The project’s social value programme has already supported schools, young people and community organisations through volunteering, careers events, STEM activities, environmental initiatives and practical improvements to community spaces.
One recent example saw the project team work with The Spires Federation to improve outdoor learning spaces at three local primary schools in Digby, Dunston and Nocton.
Timber from trees responsibly felled as part of the relief road project was repurposed into natural seating logs and tree stumps for Forest School activities, creating new resources for pupils while ensuring useful materials were not wasted. The improvements will support outdoor learning, creativity, wellbeing and practical skills for children for years to come.
Cllr East said: “The North Hykeham Relief Road is about much more than building a new road. We want the investment being made in this project to create benefits for local people throughout the construction period as well as after the scheme is complete.
“Over the past six months, we have already seen the project team supporting schools, young people and community organisations through a wide range of activities.
“The work with the three local primary schools is a fantastic example of that. Materials from the project have been given a second life, helping create outdoor learning spaces that will benefit children for years to come.
“As construction continues, we will keep looking for opportunities to make a positive difference in the communities around the route and across the wider area.”
A transformational project for Lincolnshire
Once complete, the five-mile North Hykeham Relief Road will provide a new link between the A46 Pennells Roundabout and the A15 Sleaford Road.
The scheme is designed to reduce congestion in and around North Hykeham and Lincoln, improve journey reliability and support future growth. It will also unlock land for around 4,500 new homes and seven hectares of employment space, with the project expected to generate around £800 million of economic benefits for Lincolnshire over the next 60 years.
New roundabouts will be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road, alongside major new structures including bridges at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Cllr East added: “There is still a long way to go, but the progress made in these first six months gives a real sense of the scale and momentum behind the project.
“The foundations are now being put in place – literally and figuratively – for a road that will transform how people and goods move around this part of Lincolnshire.
“Over the months ahead, residents will continue to see the project taking shape as we move through the next stages of construction. We will keep working closely with local communities, providing regular updates and doing everything we can to manage the impact of the works.
“Six months in, the North Hykeham Relief Road is firmly under construction, and we are continuing to move forward at pace towards delivering the long-term benefits this transformational project will bring to Lincolnshire.”
£110 million was allocated for the project in November 2020 from the Department for Transport's 'Large Local Majors' programme.
The project is being carried out by Balfour Beatty.
For more information about the North Hykeham Relief Road, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/nhrr.