Eurovia UK has been selected as the preferred contractor to undertake works to improve the current A17/A151 junction by installing a new, three-arm roundabout, as well as a new four-arm roundabout on the A151.
The British construction firm is expected to start work on the scheme this spring and is projected to be complete by spring 2018.
The £5.4m scheme will not only improve the safety of the current junction, but it will provide access to residential land to the east of the A151 and open up development land to the west of the A151 for the creation of Peppermint Park, Holbeach: A Food Enterprise Village, which will include a Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) and the delivery of approximately 900 new dwellings.
Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “When complete, these improvements will not only create a safer route for drivers and less traffic in the town centre, but they’ll also provide access to development land for housing and the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.
“Now that we’ve identified Eurovia to carry out the highway works, we look forward to formally appointing them after formal evaluation and breaking ground on site in May.”
The FEZ will be located next to the A17 and A151 and is designed to support agri-food businesses, with a particular focus on the food technology sector. When complete, the multi-million pound development will create around 59,000sq m of new business space, capable of supporting over 2,000 jobs. The University of Lincoln has outline planning consent to move part of its existing Holbeach campus to a new, purpose-built facility within the FEZ.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive member for economic development, said: “The food sector, particularly agri-food and food manufacturing, are of enormous importance to Greater Lincolnshire – it’s our third biggest sector and contributes £2.5 billion every year to the area’s economy. By developing land for the South Lincolnshire FEZ, we want to support existing businesses, while also attracting those interested in investing and relocating to the county.”
Holbeach member Coun Nick Worth, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for growth and commercialisation, added: “I am delighted that after many years of personally championing the need for this major road improvement, first highlighted in the Holbeach Parish Plan as long ago as 2008, it is finally going to happen. It is very exciting and a huge boost for the future economy of Holbeach, linking, as it does, to highly skilled jobs in the upcoming Food Enterprise Zone.”
For the latest news on the Peppermint Junction Improvements and South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects.
