49,000 stone blocks need re-laying on Bailgate
The £1.7m works to improve the stone block road on Bailgate started yesterday.
“This will be a massive undertaking over the next three months, with the team working in phases to remove 49,000 stone blocks and re-lay them on a much stronger mortar base. In total, we expect to re-use roughly 32,000 of the existing blocks, with the rest replaced with like-for-like,“ explained Cllr Michael Cheyne, Executive Member for Highways at Lincolnshire County Council.
The first phase of works, located between the White Hart Hotel and Westgate, will be carried out until early February with the following traffic management in place:
- Access maintained between Coffee by the Arch and Prince of Wales, then onto Westgate
- Chapel Lane and East Bight open as normal
- Parking bays open between Coffee by the Arch and The County Assembly Rooms
- No parking permitted between The White Hart Hotel and Westgate
- No parking permitted between Bailgate and Minster Yard
- Diversion route via Newport/Church Lane to Northgate, near The Lincoln Hotel
Once this first phase is complete, the team will move onto the section of Bailgate between Westgate and Newport Arch for a month.
Cllr Cheyne added: “With this being one of Lincoln’s busiest areas, we’ve phased the works so the contractor is working in smaller, localised areas before moving onto the next. This means far less disruption than if the whole of Bailgate was closed for three months.
“I also want to remind everyone that all of the footways along Bailgate will remain open, which means it will be business as usual while the works are happening.
“All of the nearby carparks will also be open throughout the works for anyone travelling by car. On-street parking will also be available, albeit with some bays closed as we work our way up the carriageway.
“I know these works will be disruptive to many, so I want to thank everyone in advance for their patience. When finished, the newly-laid stone blocks will be safer for anyone using Bailgate and should be relatively maintenance-free for the next 20 years.”
The middle car park on West gate has been closed for contractors’ use during the project.
A dedicated public liaison officer, Sophie Ward-Owen, has been appointed for the project who will be the main point-of-contact for any construction-related queries or arrangements. Call 07495 916383 or email
For more information about the project, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bailgate