Essential road maintenance will still be carried out across the county to ensure that life-saving medicine, equipment, supplies and healthcare staff can travel to wherever they are needed most.
From today (1 April 2020), Balfour Beatty Group Limited and Colas Limited will take to the streets as Lincolnshire County Council's new highways contractors, alongside existing contractor, WSP UK Limited.
Following guidance from the Department for Transport and Public Health England, the county council's new contractors will still be carrying out essential highways maintenance and improvement over the coming weeks.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
"The Government’s current policy is that works should continue where they can be undertaken in accordance with Public Health England and industry guidance. It's critical that those making necessary journeys during this pandemic can do so safely on our roads.
"The council has been working with our new contractors to allow planned surface dressing, footways schemes and other essential work to go ahead, with staff following advice on social distancing.
"I'd like to thank our previous partners – Kier and Dynniq – for their work over the years and for helping us achieve a seamless transition from one contract to the next, especially during these unprecedented times."
Roadworks will continue to be advertised on site ahead of work starting, and online at roadworks.org.
Worth a combined £762m, the new highways contracts will run for an initial period of six years, with the potential to be extended for a further six years.
WSP, the engineering professional services consultancy, retained its Professional Design Services contract with the council. David Stephens, WSP Head of Local Government Services, said:
"WSP are delighted to be appointed under the Highways 2020 Professional Services contract and to continue our very successful relationship with Lincolnshire County Council. We look forward to collaborating with the council, Balfour Beatty Living Places and Colas to deliver high quality services which help to sustain and develop prosperity in Lincolnshire."
New contractor, Colas will provide routine and emergency repair services for traffic signals in Lincolnshire. Faïçal Lahmamsi, Colas Executive Director National and Regional Operations, said:
"Our traffic signals team look forward to delivering a full support package of planned and reactive maintenance and we are excited at the prospect of a great collaboration with all our alliance partners on delivering the needs of our client and the community around Lincolnshire."