September 15, 2020 5.06 pm This story is over 42 months old

Priority to buses, cycling and walking in Western Growth Corridor’s latest plans

Emphasis on sustainable transport
3,200 homes will be built as part of the Western Growth Corridor plans.

A new Lincoln housing development’s spine road could be for buses, cycling and pedestrians only, it has been revealed.

Amended plans for the 3,200-home Western Growth Corridor have been submitted by the City of Lincoln Council to its own planning committee.

They also include 20 hectares of commercial/employment space, a new leisure village, green space and flood mitigation improvements.

The latest revisions include:

  • Large parts of the development’s proposed spine route being for buses, pedestrians and cyclists only
  • Skellingthorpe Road being accessed via a signal controlled junction rather than a roundabout as originally proposed
  • A new bus lane along Tritton Road
  • Restrictions on cars accessing the development from Beever Street to give buses and cyclists priority
  • A 20mph speed limit throughout the development

The latest masterplan for the Western Growth Corridor showing the bus-only routes.

On top of this, the proposals include suggestions for mitigation packages aimed at tackling the impact of the scheme on nearby roads.

In particular they look to balance out the building of the first 300 houses on site, and include:

  • A new signal controlled junction on Doddington Road/Birchwood Avenue
  • Junction widening and improvement on Doddington Road/Tritton Road
  • A yellow box junction on the connection between Doddington Road/Station Road
  • A new dedicated bus lane along High Street from Dixon Street to Tanners Lane
  • A right-hand turn ban from Dixon Street on to the High Street
  • New and improved pedestrian/cycle route along Boultham Catchwater and over the railway

The WGC is being put forward by City of Lincoln Council and Lindum Western Growth Community Limited and bosses say the plans give priority to sustainable modes of transport while balancing out the needs of car owners.

3,200 homes will be built as part of the Western Growth Corridor plans.

Project Planning Director Mark Foster said: “We have listened closely to comments raised and we are confident that the updated proposals mitigate the transport impacts of the scheme, as well as maximise sustainable transport opportunities for proposed residents of the development.

“Importantly, the revisions also demonstrate our commitment to the delivery of the scheme despite the current economic uncertainty.”

If approved, it is estimated the WGC whole would generate up to £22 million per year spend in the local Lincoln economy.

Bosses say the construction of the development would create an average of 500 jobs per year, while around 3,600 new jobs would be created in the commercial area and leisure village.

It is hoped building work will start in 2021.

Visual of Lincoln City’s new stadium as part of the Western Growth Corridor plan.