October 28, 2015 7.20 pm This story is over 100 months old

Councillors unanimously approve Lincoln Transport Hub

Green light: Proposals for a £29 million integrated transport hub in Lincoln have been given planning permission by the city council.

Proposals for a £29 million integrated transport hub in Lincoln have been given planning permission by the city council.

At a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, October 28, councillors unanimously approved the plans, which will see a new bus station, 1,000 space multi-storey car park, footbridge and plaza area next to Lincoln’s railway station constructed.

The Lincoln Transport Hub proposals involve:

  • Demolishing the existing bus station – used by 7 million passengers every year – and building a new, larger facility next to the train station
  • Replacing the existing pedestrian and platform footbridges over the railway with a dual function footbridge – high enough to allow for electrified lines in the future – connecting Tentercroft Street and St Mary’s Street
  • Building a new 1,000 space multi-storey car park with pay on exit facilities on the site of the current bus station
  • Public realm and highway improvements to St Mary’s Street and the front of the train station
  • Additional benefits for cyclists, including cycle spaces and lanes

Plans for the hub were revealed in January 2015, with construction company Willmott Dixon appointed to deliver the project the following month.

In May 2015, the Executive agreed on an additional £858,000 of capital funds to develop the scheme, bringing the council’s total investment in the project to £2.1 million.

A planning application was submitted in June along with the first artists’ impressions for the project.

A full financial report covering the costs and the funding, alongside the implications of these, will be presented to Executive in November 2015.

A final business case is being prepared for submission to the Department for Transport in February 2016 and a decision on confirmed funding worth £11 million is expected in April 2016.

Kate Ellis, Assistant Director for Planning and Regeneration at the city council, said: “This is a significant milestone for the hub project and now planning permission is secured it is exciting to be able to move forward with achieving other elements to ensure the scheme comes to fruition.

“We must still secure the full funding for the scheme, as there will be significant archaeological costs incurred during the construction phase and we’ve had to look at the rising costs of delivering the dual-purpose footbridge due to emerging design requirements from Network Rail.

“The city council has already committed substantial resources to this project, which has received overwhelming support in public consultations and from partners, as it is essential we make the hub a reality in order to revitalise our city centre. We are doing everything we can to overcome obstacles and create a fantastic new facility and environment for the benefit of our residents, visitors and businesses.”