Lincoln council to decide on planning permission for Transport Hub proposals

Plans for a new bus station, 1,000 space multi-storey car park, footbridge and plaza area next to Lincoln’s railway station will be discussed by the city council’s planning committee.

The proposal for a £29 million integrated transport hub has been put forward by City of Lincoln Council to regenerate the city centre, making it more attractive and accessible for both residents and visitors.

City councillors will decide whether to grant planning permission at a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, October 28.

If approved, the Lincoln Transport Hub would 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

The plans for the Lincoln Transport Hub

Angela Andrews, Chief Executive of the city council, said: “Getting planning permission would be a significant milestone in this ambitious project but we must still secure the full funding for the scheme.

“There will be significant archaeological costs incurred during the construction phase and we have also had to look at the rising costs of delivering the dual-purpose footbridge due to emerging design requirements from Network Rail.

“We recognise this is an essential scheme to revitalise our city centre and we are doing everything we can to overcome these obstacles, but we also need to ensure we are achieving value for money for our residents.

“We have already committed substantial resources to this project and are currently working on the timeline for delivery and the finances.

“These improvements have been needed for a long time and will vastly improve transport facilities, encouraging further investment and growth while enhancing the appearance of the city centre. It’s vital we and our partners work together to ensure we do everything we can to make this happen.”

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

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

If all the funding is secured, and subject to receiving planning permission, the scheme would be delivered by the city council in partnership with the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), the Department for Transport, Lincolnshire Co-op and Network Rail, working with East Midlands Trains and Lincolnshire County Council.