Public inquiry date set for new roundabout at A46 crash hotspot

Public inquiry dates have been announced for the improvement project at the A46 junction for Welton and Dunholme, which is considered a collision-prone stretch of road.

As reported in February 2018, the current t-junction is known as an accident blackspot with over 30 crashes causing injury in the last five years, plus hundreds of non-reported incidents.

Councillors on Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee previously gave the go-ahead for work on a new 60 metre diameter roundabout, which is expected to enhance safety and visibly on the stretch of road.

The scheme will see a new three-armed roundabout constructed at the current A46/Lincoln Road junction, as well as reducing the level of the hill along this section of the A46.

The county council has received some objections regarding the legal orders for the project, so a public inquiry will take place next month.

It has now been announced that the public inquiry for the project will take place over four days between November 12-15 at The County Assembly Rooms in uphill Lincoln.

The project will be part-funded using the £2 million allocated to the authority by the Department of Transport from tranche 2 of its National Productivity Investment Fund.

The remaining funding for the construction of the scheme, including third party contributions, is currently being reviewed by the county council.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We’ve heard back from the DfT about the legal orders for the A46 near Dunholme and Welton and can confirm that we’ve received some objections. As a result, we will be heading to public inquiry in November.

“Over the past six months, we’ve worked closely with three of the objectors, including Cycling UK, and they’ve agreed to withdraw their objections.

“We’re still actively engaging with Western Power Distribution and Premier Housing in hopes of addressing their concerns and having their objections removed.

“Although an inquiry will still need to go ahead, having these objections removed will greatly reduce the chance of further delays in getting this project off the ground. However, this will rely heavily on third parties being open to negotiations and fully supporting the project.

“Regardless of the objections and the public inquiry, we’re still confident this scheme will go ahead next summer and are continuing to do everything we can in the background to ensure we can hit the ground running.

“The benefits of this scheme are two-fold. Not only will it help improve safety in a location where there have been several collisions in recent years, but it will also help to reduce congestion on Lincoln Road and accommodate future development in the area. Once built, the new roundabout and realigned A46 will be much safer and more reliable for anyone traveling this route.”