City of Lincoln Council and its partners have today (Tuesday, August 16) received confirmation of £11 million funding from the Department for Transport – meaning work on the ambitious Lincoln Transport Hub can begin.
Led by the city council, the £30 million scheme will transform the city centre through the construction of a new, state-of-the-art bus station, 1,000 space multi-storey car park, retail units and pedestrian plaza area connecting the new facilities with Lincoln Central Railway Station.
Council Leader Ric Metcalfe said: “This is fantastic news. This is an incredibly exciting scheme that will move Lincoln city centre into the 21st century, ensuring the potential for future growth, creating an attractive and connected gateway to the city and making it an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.
“I know many people will be glad to see our current bus station demolished. A new facility is long overdue and will be able to cope with even more than the seven million passengers who use the buses in Lincoln each year.
“We’ve received a huge amount of support for the hub scheme and I hope people will be patient while this vital work is under way.”
Angela Andrews, Chief Executive of the city council, said: “Lincoln Transport Hub is a vital scheme to ensure the future of our city centre and we are excited to be able to start on site in the next couple of weeks.
“With the help of our partners we are proud to have driven this scheme forward. These superb new facilities will revitalise the heart of our city centre, bringing huge benefits to our residents, visitors, businesses and commuters, as well as our local economy.”
David Dexter, Deputy Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a major investment in transport infrastructure in Lincoln, and we are delighted that the last piece of the funding jigsaw is now in place and work can begin on this transformational scheme.
“Alongside a £13 million investment through the Growth Deal programme from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Department for Transport, the scheme will underpin growth by improving the city infrastructure, connecting people to jobs, visitors to our city and goods to markets.”
The scheme will be delivered by the city council in partnership with the Department for Transport, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire Co-op and Network Rail, working with East Midlands Trains and Lincolnshire County Council.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “A new bus station, car park and upgraded railway station will be a huge benefit to people who live and work in Lincoln, and those who visit the city.
“Better transport facilities don’t just help people get around, they help them get on – connecting them to jobs, opportunities and helping deliver economic growth.”
Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Co-op Ursula Lidbetter said: “This is a huge step forward for our city and we’re delighted to hear that funding has been approved.
“A public transport interchange that works for shoppers, commuters, businesses and residents will benefit all of us.
“We’re proud to be part of this scheme and alongside our £12m plans for the first phase of the Cornhill Quarter, this will further transform Lincoln.”
Construction on the transport hub is expected to last up to 18 months, with the new facilities open by January 2018.
Contractors Willmott Dixon Construction are due to start work on site in the week beginning 28th August. Further details will follow shortly on road closures, diversions, temporary bus and parking arrangements.
