Lincoln council approves £858k extra funding for Lincoln Transport Hub

Members of the City of Lincoln Council’s Executive have approved the next stages of development for the Central Lincoln Transport Hub project at a meeting on May 26.

The £29 million scheme includes demolishing the existing bus station to build a larger facility next to the train station, replacing the pedestrian and platform footbridges over the railway with a dual function footbridge, and constructing a 1,000 space multi-storey car park.

Highway improvements to St Mary’s Street and the front of the train station will also be made as part of the proposed scheme, with cyclists to benefit from additional cycle spaces and lanes. 

As previously reported, plans for the project were revealed in January this year.

In February, construction company Willmott Dixon was appointed to deliver the scheme.

The city council hopes to submit a planning application for the project next month, and has agreed on an additional £858,000 of capital funds to develop the scheme.

The extra funding would bring the council’s total investment in the project to £2.1 million.

Leader of the City of Lincoln Council Ric Metcalfe, Angela Andrews, acting chief executive sponsoring the project from the corporate management team, Councillor Neil Murray, the city council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Economic Regeneration and Assistant Director for Planning and Regeneration Kate Ellis. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

All the recommendations proposed at the meeting on May 26 were approved by the city council.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of the city council, said: “A new, fit for purpose transport hub is vital to ensure the city’s economic future and this is a hugely important project for the people of Lincoln, in addition to visitors and businesses as well.

“It’s therefore essential we do everything within our power to progress this much-needed project, which will ensure the vitality of our city centre. An integrated transport interchange in the heart of the city to serve residents, businesses and visitors, achieving the growth the city needs.

“The city is in dire need of a new, modern bus station, able to cope with increased passenger numbers and opening up the possibility of more services in the future.

“It’s also worth noting this scheme would also complement the county council’s East West Link Road and Network Rail’s new footbridge in High Street to create a more accessible, welcoming and functioning city centre.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the area and we and our partners must press ahead with these exciting plans to order to ensure the £11 million indicative funding is confirmed.”

In early 2014, the project received £11 million indicative funding through the Single Local Growth Fund from the Department for Transport.

If the funding is successful, and subject to receiving planning permission and additional funding, the scheme would be delivered by the city council in partnership with Lincolnshire Co-op and Network Rail, working with East Midlands Trains and Lincolnshire County Council.

The transport hub plans were revealed for the first time on Friday, January 9. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Angela Andrews, Acting Chief Executive at the city council, said: “Ongoing discussions with partners over recent months have enabled us to propose an enhanced scheme, building on the original plans we announced in January but with a whole range of additional benefits that facilitate the wider regeneration of both the Sincil Street and Tentercroft Street areas.

“More than 200 people responded to a public consultation earlier this year, which was overwhelmingly positive, and showed us that residents and local businesses do want these facilities and improvements.

“This is one of the most important projects we are working on and we and our partners remain committed to ensuring Lincoln Transport Hub happens.”