The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several key issues, including proposed improvement schemes, resurfacing projects, and the performance of highways services. The committee reviewed and supported recommendations for the Lincoln Bailgate, Spalding-Pinchbeck, and various resurfacing schemes, and discussed the Highways Performance Report.

North Highcombe Relief Road and Highways Framework

Councillor Thomas Sneath, Chairman of the committee, announced that the government had confirmed £110 million in funding for the North Highcombe Relief Road. The funding is dependent on final approval of the business case, and the council is awaiting the inspector's report following a public inquiry.

The council has also begun procurement for a new highways framework, worth up to £180 million, which will run for four years, replacing the current highways select list. The framework is divided into three lots:

• Lot 1: Small schemes up to £1.5 million
• Lot 2: Larger infrastructure projects up to £6 million
• Lot 3: Resurfacing A and B roads, up to £6 million

Lincoln-Bowgate Improvement Scheme

The committee supported a recommendation to the Executive Councillor for Resources and the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport to approve improvement works to the Bowgate-Lincoln carriageway. The focus is to enhance the long-term durability and structural integrity of the Yorkstone block set surface. Adam Round, Design Delivery Manager, Highways Services, presented five options, with option one being the recommended choice:

1. Remove and replace existing sets, relaying them on a mortar bed and surround.
2. Reconstruct the carriageway fully with a thicker 150mm set on a new tarmac foundation.
3. Replace the sets with a 150mm set, new set, correcting footway and access levels.
4. Replace the existing sets with an asphalt surfacing.
5. Relay the existing sets on sand and with sand joints.

The committee agreed with the recommendation to approve option one, which involves relaying the existing 100mm thick York stone carriageway block setts on a new rigid bed and joint system, allowing for approximately 35% replacement of the original setts. Councillor K J Clarke raised a point about the grout used, asking:

On the new proposal then, the grout, will they all be sand and cemented in, or will still be used sand, because another form of when you lay sets is block them up to each other.

Mr Round confirmed that the proposal is to use a cementitious grout and base to stop movement.

Spalding Pinchbeck Active Travel Cycleway Tender Award

The committee supported the recommendations to the Executive Councillor for Resources and the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport for the delivery of a new segregated cycleway, improvements to existing footway and shared cycleways, and an upgrade to the junction to improve connectivity between Forge Close Spalding and Knight Street in Pinchbeck. Chris Miller, Head of Environment, explained that Active Travel England awarded the County Council £1.8 million to undertake the scheme. The money was originally earmarked for Brayford Wharf East in Lincoln, but the council decided not to proceed with the scheme after public feedback.

The route has broken down into five individual sections, but at the moment, they're just looking at sections one and two, which will take the route as far as Enterprise Way.

Councillor I H Sheard thanked the officers for their work, noting the public support for the project.

Councillor R A Wright asked about the long-term maintenance and operational costs, and Mr Miller said that the route would become part of the highway maintainer public expense network.

Strategic Resurfacing Schemes

The committee supported recommendations for three strategic resurfacing schemes:

• A6121 Ryhall Road in Stamford
• A17 to A151 Holbeach and Fleet Hargate
• A52 Levington to Holthoff end near Boston

Steve Brooks, Senior Project Leader, presented the reports, noting that the proposals are supported by legal and resources, with costs included in the Asset Protection Programme of Work contract.

Councillor I H Sheard agreed with the proposal for resurfacing, saying that doing anything less would open the council up to having to redo the work.

Councillor C J Reeve raised concerns about the edges of roads not being made good after resurfacing, and Mr Brooks assured him that the edges of the grass verges would be completed.

Highways Quarter 4 Performance Report

Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Services, presented the Highways Quarter 4 Performance Report, highlighting key themes and scores. The Alliance scored 90 out of 100, up from 89 last quarter. The Highway Works Term Service Contract, operated by Balfour Beatty, scored 87.2, the highest since 2020. The Professional Services Contract, operated by WSP, scored 78.7, and the Traffic Signals Term Contract, operated by Colas, scored 97.4, also the highest to date.

Mr Evans noted that the combined capital and revenue budget for the Highway Maintenance Service for 2025/26 is approximately £110 million.

He also mentioned that the service is arranging a second trial of the Pothole Pro¹ on contract, due to commence from September 2025.

Councillor S Grantham asked about incentives for contractors, and Mr Evans explained the target cost contract and how performance measures drive a share of the costs.

Councillor C J Reeve raised concerns about contractors not fixing smaller areas near marked repairs, and Mr Evans said that contractors can fix faults nearby.

Councillor C L E Vernon praised the decrease in the number of complaints in quarter four but raised concerns about communication.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme, outlining upcoming items for future meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for 8 September 2025, and members will consider five substantive items, including the Rail Recovery and Strategic Role in Providing Connectivity.

Councillor C L E Vernon asked about the highways customer liaison team presentation and whether it would be possible to arrange for external guests to attend the meeting in person. Ms Chatziioannou confirmed that arrangements had been made for all external guests to be in attendance face to face.