Members of the county council’s Planning and Regulation Committee voted in favour of granting planning consent for the massive infrastructure project.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “I’m incredibly happy to say that the North Hykeham Relief Road has officially been granted planning permission, which means we’re one step closer to a full ring road around Lincoln.
“Now that planning consent’s been granted, our team can formally enter into negotiations with landowners while continuing to prep all of the legal orders needed before construction can start. These include compulsory purchase orders granting powers to obtain the land needed for the road and side roads orders granting powers to improve or alter the highway.
“Our current plan is to present these to Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee in June and then Executive in July, before making them live for public consultation.
“The focus will then be preparing a full business case for DfT before making a start on building the road late next year.”
Construction of the new relief road is expected to start in late 2025 and to be open by late 2028. The cost of the project is currently estimated to be between £180m and £208m.
The North Hykeham Relief Road project would see a new dual carriageway built, linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass, creating a complete ring road around the city.
As part of the project, new roundabouts would be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road. A number of bridges would also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “When built, the new relief road will form the final section of a complete ring road around Lincoln, making it much easier for people to get around the area.
“Among its many benefits, the North Hykeham Relief Road will help reduce congestion in and around North Hykeham, Lincoln and the surrounding villages; and improve journey time reliability; help us meet the area's growth target; and better connect the A46 between the Midlands through to the Humber ports.”
For more information about this and other major highways projects, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects.