The UK Government has authorised Lincolnshire County Council to proceed with the North Hykeham Relief Road, following approval of the necessary legal orders by the Secretary of State.

The decision allows the council to begin the procurement and construction process for the long-awaited infrastructure project, which aims to complete a full ring road around Lincoln. A contractor appointment is expected to be confirmed early in the new year.

The North Hykeham Relief Road will create a new dual carriageway connecting the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. The scheme includes new roundabouts at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road, and Grantham Road, as well as several bridge structures, including one over the River Witham and another at Station Road.

Once completed, the road is expected to ease congestion, support economic growth, and improve transport links for local businesses and residents. The approval marks a key milestone in one of Lincolnshire’s most significant transport infrastructure investments in recent years.

A new temporary library is set to open in Freshney Place, Grimsby, on Tuesday, 4 November. Located on Baxtergate opposite Costa Coffee, the pop-up library will operate from Tuesday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. It will remain closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Bank Holidays.

The new space will provide core library services such as book borrowing, returns, and reservations, covering both adult and children’s titles. Visitors will find large print, audiobooks, picture books, and a Health and Wellbeing collection. Facilities include two public computers, study spaces, scanning, photocopying, and printing services. Events like Story Time for toddlers and Shake Rattle and Read sessions will also take place, though with limited capacity.

The pop-up library comes as Grimsby Central Library remains closed following water damage earlier in the year, which raised asbestos concerns. A structural survey has been completed, and further investigations are underway to assess the refurbishment required. North East Lincolnshire Council has approved, in principle, the reopening of the Central Library, subject to costs and options for the work being confirmed and publicly reviewed.

  Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Kirton in Lindsey’s annual Christmas Festival is adding a sustainable touch this year with the help of North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund. A £751 grant has enabled the town to hire an eco-friendly Christmas tree as the centrepiece of its festivities, aligning the celebration with a growing focus on environmental responsibility.

The tree will take pride of place in the town centre, forming the heart of the festival’s evening celebrations. Visitors can enjoy a bustling craft and gift market, food stalls featuring local vendors, and fairground rides along Sylvester Street. Local shops are also joining in, extending opening hours to welcome festive shoppers.

Part of the grant will go towards purchasing selection boxes for local children, ensuring the celebrations are both inclusive and community-focused.

Since its launch in 2011, the Community Grant Fund has supported a wide range of local projects, from youth groups and charities to cultural and sporting initiatives. Its continued investment in grassroots efforts like Kirton’s festival helps strengthen community connections while promoting sustainable and responsible choices for the future.

  Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

The Oncology team at Lincoln County Hospital have received a £1,000 funding boost thanks to the senior’s section of Louth Golf Club. Seniors Captain for 2025, Chris Barber, chose United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity as his charity of the Year. This was his way to say thank you for the care his wife, Judith, received whilst a patient at Lincoln County Hospital after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Judith spent nine months undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy and continues to receive regular check-ups. Chris was full of praise for the hospital staff for their sterling work in providing healthcare every day in Lincolnshire’s hospitals. He said: “A lot of our golf members at the club have used the services of Lincoln County Hospital and we all wanted to give something back.” Chris and Judith recently met up with some of the team that looked after her when they visited the Oncology Unit to pass on their donation. Liz Timms, Deputy Sister on the hospital’s Ingham Ward expressed her thanks to all the golfers and said: “This donation is very much appreciated – we understand cancer is something close to people’s hearts and these funds will be used to help improve our patients lives.” United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager, Ben Petts said: “This donation will make a difference to patient care. It is only with the support from businesses and local organisations like Louth Golf Club that we can provide extra equipment and facilities that is transforming healthcare across Lincolnshire’s hospitals.” In 2024, Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity funded projects worth over £108,000 to support cancer patients. This included resources for parents to help support and aid discussion with children about their cancer diagnosis, and a new makeover to the Oncology Garden which has created a peaceful and welcoming space for patients attending the hospital for treatments.

Restoration of Grimsby’s historic Corporation Road Bridge is set to resume following new decisions by North East Lincolnshire Council. The bridge will remain closed to allow the remaining repair works to be completed more efficiently and at a lower overall cost.

The Council confirmed that Taziker Industrial Limited has been appointed to complete the next phase of the project, with work scheduled to restart within days. The contractor has already begun preparatory work and is expected to complete the restoration by December 2026.

Earlier this year, a £12 million price cap was agreed for the scheme. While a temporary increase has been approved to secure Taziker’s appointment, the total cost is still expected to remain below the original budget.

The bridge, a Grade II listed structure, has been closed for extensive refurbishment aimed at preserving its historic features and restoring it to full working order. The decision to maintain the closure prioritises timely completion over a phased reopening, which would have extended the project’s duration and added to its cost.

The upcoming works mark the final stage in returning one of Grimsby’s most recognisable landmarks to service, ensuring its long-term safety and structural integrity.

  Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Keys to office space in North Lincolnshire Council’s Elizabeth Quarter building have been handed over, paving the way for NHS services to move into the heart of Scunthorpe town centre. Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) will begin moving into the building over the coming weeks, with services fully in place by the end of November. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a major moment for Scunthorpe. Bringing NHS services into the town centre makes them easier to access and in a welcoming, accessible place. “With the number of staff and visitors to the site reaching into the high hundreds every week, this is also a great boost for the town centre. Visitors can park for free for two hours and will be able to take advantage of local facilities, including St John’s Market, the new Discover gallery at 20-21 and all the town centre activities and events we organise. “Coming after the opening of the Clinical Diagnostic Centre in the heart of town, we are enabling people to live healthier lives as well as helping our town centre thrive.” RDaSH will lease the office and clinical space for 15 years, enabling a wide range of mental health, learning disability, neurodiversity, and talking therapy services to be delivered in the town centre. The new facilities will include consultation spaces, clinical rooms and group areas, supporting appointments, therapy sessions and everyday help for adults, families and the whole community. Toby Lewis, chief executive of RDaSH, the NHS trust which provides children’s health and adult mental health services in North Lincolnshire, said: “Opening the Elizabeth Quarter building this November is a huge leap forward for local patients and for our staff. This is a purpose-built environment which supports great quality care. “The new building is easy to access for many and right in the heart of Scunthorpe. We remain committed to expanding our services in the villages locally. “We are also rebuilding the Great Oaks mental health unit in Ashby and that work will complete in May 2026, meaning all of our three bases in the district are now well designed for the care we provide.” Elizabeth Quarter, built on the former Scunthorpe Market site, is a modern three-storey centre designed to bring work, activity and community services closer to local people. It was announced last month that the team behind the Imaginarium restaurant will be opening a new venue in the building. Humberside Police are also set to build a new town centre police station on the site.   Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council. Pictured are Alison Barker, chief executive, North Lincolnshire Council, cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, Lesley Potts, director: communities, North Lincolnshire Council, Julie Thornton, RDaSH Care Group director North Lincolnshire and talking therapy services, and Lou Redhead, RDaSH continuous service improvement manager.

  Image credit: Boston Borough Council