May 15, 2020 3.11 pm This story is over 45 months old

Lincolnshire handed £54m to improve roads, bike and walking routes

Government released £1.7 billion for local road networks on Thursday

Lincolnshire has been given £54.3 million by the government to help with road maintenance and improve walking and cycling in the county.

The Department for Transport announced an extra £2 billion nationally during the daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, including £1.7 billion for local road networks.

Public health bosses are trying to encourage people not to use public transport, but to use their cars, walk and cycle to work as they relax the lockdown restrictions.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council called the money a “welcome boost” for fixing potholes, repairing pavements and improving the roads.

“We’ve been determined throughout this time to keep our key highway maintenance schemes going and ensure our roads are safe for key workers and those making essential journeys,” he said.

“We have adapted the way we work to keep crews safe, and to take advantage of quieter roads to carry out bigger projects with less disruption to drivers.”

The council will also look at how it can support the government message, but Councillor Davies said there were “unique challenges” when it came to sustainable transport in the county.

“We’re putting together tailored plans for each of our large settlements to help embed active travel into our communities and this government funding will allow us to accelerate those plans,” he said.

Ideas include extending and joining up existing cycle paths, or creating temporary bike lanes in large towns and Lincoln.

The council is also look at routes to schools to see how walking and cycling routes could be immediately improved to help families when the time comes to return.

Councillor Davies added: “We need to be sure that whatever measures we put in place will have the right impact and actually be useful to our residents.”