The Secretary of State has approved the legal orders for the Grantham Southern Relief Road second phase allowing construction to continue.

Cllr Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways at Lincolnshire County Council says: "This is fantastic news for the project and the people of Grantham, since it means we can now crack on with building the rest of the relief road.

"Now that we've been given the all clear to move the scheme forward, the next step is to officially appoint a contractor ahead of continuing construction this summer.

"The turn-around time for DfT and the Secretary of State approving legal orders like these can sometimes take up to six months but, in this instance, a decision was made in just over two months.

"I want thank everyone involved for moving things along so swiftly, especially Nick Boles MP for his constant support throughout the entire process."

The second phase of the scheme, which will join the B1174 to the A1 trunk road via a grade-separated junction, is expected to take approximately 18 months to construct.

Construction of the third and final phase of the relief road, which will link the A52 at Somerby Hill to the new roundabout off the B1174, will begin shortly after the start of phase two and is expected to take approximately three years to build.

Cllr Davies adds: "The Secretary of State's decision to give the relief road the go-ahead is a testament to all the hard work that's been put in by the project team - not only in getting all objections to the project lifted, but for successfully navigating all of the legal hurdles essential to moving such a huge infrastructure scheme forward.

"We're now one step closer to providing those travelling in and around Grantham with more reliable journey times and reduced congestion.

"Not only that but, when complete, the new relief road will also open the door to higher levels of economic growth to the south of town."

The Grantham Southern Relief Road project is being led by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by South Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Highways England, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Homes England and local businesses.

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