City of Lincoln Council is advising the public that Westgate 2 car park will close from Monday 12 January for the duration of essential improvement works taking place along the Bailgate.
The council is allowing the car park to be used as a site compound to support the works, which are being delivered by Lincolnshire County Council. Construction work on site is scheduled to begin on Monday 19 January and is expected to last up to three months.
All Bailgate footways and all other car parks in the area will remain open for the duration of the project, meaning business as usual throughout the works.
The project will see the lifting and re-laying of the carriage sets along the Bailgate between Newport and Eastgate, as well as repairs and improvements to the road hump and pedestrian crossing outside Westgate Academy, creating a safer crossing point.
Over time, many of the existing stone blocks along the Bailgate have shifted, broken, or lifted, resulting in uneven surfaces for drivers and potential trip hazards for pedestrians.
To prevent further deterioration, Lincolnshire County Council will carefully lift and re-lay as many of the existing stones as possible onto a stronger mortar base. Any damaged stones will be replaced with like-for-like materials to maintain the historic character of the area.
All footways will remain open throughout the works, ensuring continued pedestrian access.
The works will be delivered in five phases, with only one section of the Bailgate closed at any given time:
- Phase 1: Between Westgate and the White Hart Hotel (mid-January to early February)
- Phase 2: Between Newport Arch and Westgate (early February to early March)
- Phase 3: Junction linking Westgate and Bailgate outside the Prince of Wales and Greggs (2-3 days during the first week of March)
- Phase 4: Between Newport and Newport Arch, and along Westgate between Greggs and the Castle Hotel (early March to late March)
- Phase 5: Raised crossing outside Westgate Academy (late March to early April)
All dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
On-street parking will remain available in the Bailgate, although some bays may be temporarily closed while works are taking place in the immediate area.
Kieron Manning, Assistant Director for Planning and City Services at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“We have worked closely with Lincolnshire County Council to minimise disruption, and using Westgate 2 as a site compound will allow these essential Bailgate improvements to be delivered efficiently, while keeping other nearby car parks and footways open.
“We’re pleased that visitors and residents will continue to have good access to the area throughout the works, and we thank everyone for supporting a project that will enhance safety and preserve the historic character of the Bailgate.”
City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council would like to thank residents, traders, and visitors for their patience while these important improvements are carried out.
For updates on the works, please visit City of Lincoln Council’s Facebook page.