A report on the North Hykeham Relief Road project will be discussed by Lincolnshire County Council next month with Balfour lined-up for the job.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We’re now to the point where we’re just about ready to appoint a contractor to design and build the North Hykeham Relief Road.

“The project team will be taking a report to our highways scrutiny committee early next month so members can review current plans and share their views on them – all of which will be considered when a final decision on how to proceed is made by Executive in April.

“As the report outlines, the current proposed plan is to appoint Balfour Beatty in the coming months with a view to submitting a planning application for the project in 2023 and starting construction towards the end of 2025.”

The current cost estimate for the three-year construction job is between £179m and £212m.

The original cost estimate for the project was £153m.

Cllr Davies said: “The estimated cost for the scheme has increased compared to our original projection in 2019. This is down to this scheme falling victim to national spikes in labour and material costs, along with inflation.

“The reason for there being a £33m cost range is that there are still a number of risks that could cost us and a number of opportunities that could help us save money. These would need to be investigated further before we have more price certainty.

“We’re well experienced in delivering major infrastructure projects like this so we’d be preparing for the higher figure but working hard towards achieving the lower one.”

The North Hykeham Relief Road project would see a new dual carriageway built, linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass, creating a complete ring road around the city.

As part of the project, new roundabouts would be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road. A number of bridges would also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.