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Work starts on 1.5km cycle path beside Lincoln Eastern Bypass

Minster Group is helping to create a 7.5km cycle path running alongside the new Lincoln Eastern Bypass.

Now, we’re starting work on one of the longest stretches – a 1.5km cycle path from Bracebridge Heath to Branston.

The 1,500m cycle path will run parallel to the Lincoln Eastern Bypass; a major infrastructure project which we’re also helping to build.

Minster's team lay the new surface while social distancing

When it’s complete, the cycle path will significantly improve bicycle access between the two villages and form a key part of Lincoln’s sustainable transport infrastructure.

Hopefully, it will encourage more people to cycle, helping to reduce road traffic, reduce emissions and improve health.

The cycle path will be separated from the vehicle carriageway by newly planted trees and a raised berm.

We’re working on this project alongside Tarmac in our first joint venture with the national buildings material company. The work is being carried out for main contractor Galliford Try and on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.

Around 30% of the total 7.5km cycling route is now completed and we’re on track to finishing the remaining sections in autumn.

Supporting sustainable transport

Lincoln Eastern Bypass is a 7.5km road designed to improve Lincoln’s infrastructure, encourage growth, minimise traffic congestion and enhance the inter-city environment.

When complete, the bypass will start at a new roundabout on the A15 Sleaford Road and finish at the A158 Wragby Road.

Wide view of cycle path construction

The project is backed by Lincolnshire County Council and the Department for Transport as well as the City of Lincoln Council and West Lindsey and North Kesteven District Councils.

Progress on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass is going well and £120 million project is expected to be completed this Autumn.

Founder & Managing Director of Minster Group, Bruce Spencer-Knott said:

“We’re proud to have been working on several elements of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and we’re excited to begin construction on one of the longest sections of the pedestrian and cycle route alongside it.

“The Lincoln Eastern Bypass is an incredible project and it’s inspiring to be working on such an ambitious project for my home city. In all our work, we challenge ourselves to find better ways of working to deliver greater results, reduce emissions, increase recycling and reduce waste and we’re making use of some cutting edge machinery to carry out this project.

“As essential workers, we’ve been carrying out a wide range of projects during the lockdown and so we’re well-practised in ensuring social distancing, good hygiene and the use of PPE to protect our teams and the communities we serve. We’ll be taking every precaution as we carry out this project so we can make good progress despite the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Bruce Spencer-Knott, Minster Group

A technological solution

One of the machines being used on the project is a 24 tonne Vӧgele MT 3000-2i Offset shuttle. This will enable material to be constantly laid and delivered while also ensuring a uniform thickness and smooth surface.

The Vogele shuttle conveys material to the paver in the adjacent cycle path

Using a pivoting conveyor, lorries are able to deliver material by travelling along the adjacent haul road and unloading at an angle. This will prevent the heavy vehicles from upsetting the prepared sub base layers and it will enable the work to be completed much faster than conventional means.

While the Vӧgele shuttle is powerful, its low consumption six cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine means carbon emissions will be kept to a minimum.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Richard Davies said:

“As more people have discovered life on two wheels during lockdown, upgrading the cycling infrastructure on the east of the city will help people keep up their new cycling habits.

“It goes without saying that cycling is a cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative to car travel, so if this new cycle path can help encourage more people to leave the car at home and take their bikes, it’ll help reduce congestion and vehicle-pollution across the city.”

Cllr Richard Davies, Lincolnshire County Council

More information on Lincoln Eastern Bypass as well as regular news and updates on its progress can be found on the Lincolnshire County Council website. You can find out more about our involvement in the project in our case study page here.

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