Elizabeth Fish

Newport Arch is set to repoen a week early due to work on the landmark being finished before schedule.

Traffic will be able to drive under the Roman arch between Newport and Bailgate from 2pm on Friday, April 4.

Newport Court, directly below the arch, was closed off for a couple of weeks while stonemasons from Robert Woodhead Ltd rebuilt sections of the third century arch as part of a restoration project.

The work was undertaken due to recent cold winters and general corrosion causing the damage to the arch, which was last repaired in 1964 after a lorry crashed into it.

New capping has been added to the arch to allow for better future protection of the old structure.

John Latham, Director of Development and Environmental Services at the council, said: “We are extremely pleased with how well work has progressed and that we can reopen the road earlier than originally planned.

“This is a challenging restoration project that has involved specialist stonemasons taking down large sections of the gable walls and rebuilding them stone-by-stone.

“Safety of the public and contractors alike is our first priority, and closing the road was unfortunate but essential. The closure has meant this section of the work has been completed ahead of schedule.

“Newport Arch is a hugely important part of Lincoln’s heritage and it is vital we restore it to secure its future.”

Mark Hollingworth, Chairman of the Bailgate Guild, added: “The arch is an iconic part of the Bailgate and we are very pleased to see it reopen in good time for Easter and the 10k race this weekend!

“We would like to pass on our thanks to the city council and Woodheads for working hard to complete the work ahead of schedule. Business as usual for a great summer ahead!”

The arch is the only one of its kind in the country where traffic can still pass underneath.

The arch is owned by the city council, which has a legal duty of care to maintain it as an ancient monument and managed to secure £60,00 of WREN funding towards the restoration.

A woman in a wheelchair had her phone stolen in Lincoln.

The incident happened on March 19 at around 1.10pm outside the Prezzo restaurant on the Brayford waterfront.

She was sending a text on her iPhone 5S when she was approached by a man, who then snatched the phone from her hand.

The incident has left the 22-year-old victim shocked and upset.

The officer dealing with case, PC Chris Forsdyke said: “This is clearly a despicable offence against a vulnerable young lady and I’m hoping if the offender’s associates find out about it they may call in.”

The offender is described as white, of slim build, about 6 foot and in his late teens to early twenties. He was wearing a dark hooded top and trousers with a scarf across his face.

The phone is an iPhone 5S in gold, and a Ted Baker cover that’s pink with green and beige flowers on it.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen a man fitting the description should contact PC 851 Chris Forsdyke, quoting incident 202 of 19/03/2014 on 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.