Collaboration at the Core of the North Hykeham Relief Road

Delivering major infrastructure in sensitive environments requires a coordinated approach, bringing together a range of expertise to understand place, manage risk and support informed decision-making. Our work on the North Hykeham Relief Road (NHRR) in Lincolnshire is a strong example of this in practice, with teams from across TEP working together to support the delivery of this long-planned scheme.

A long-planned piece of infrastructure

The NHRR forms the final section of Lincoln’s ring road, a scheme that has been identified in Local Plans for around twenty years. As the project progressed, it required careful consideration of environmental constraints, historic assets and landscape character, alongside the practicalities of delivering a major new road.

Working alongside Balfour Beatty and the wider project team, we provided a range of services spanning heritage and archaeology, planning, landscape, ecology and arboriculture.

A coordinated programme of assessment and support underpinned the development of the scheme. Our Historic Environment team established the baseline through desk-based assessment, consultation and phased archaeological evaluation. This work identified areas of interest including sites of prehistoric activity, the important Roman road of Ermine Street, and a potential Roman villa complex, providing valuable insight into the long-term history of the site.

These findings directly informed the design process, helping to shape the scheme in response to the site’s archaeological and historical context. The team also assessed potential impacts on sensitive heritage assets, including listed buildings and conservation areas, ensuring that the historic environment was fully considered as the project evolved.

In parallel, our Landscape Assessment team undertook the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, considering the scheme’s effects on landscape character and key features such as the Lincoln Cliff escarpment, as well as views from local routes including the Viking Way. Photomontages were used to help communicate how the scheme would sit within its wider context.

Our Planning team managed the planning application process, coordinating inputs across the wider project team and preparing key documents including the Planning Statement and Design and Access Statement. The submission included over 350 documents, requiring careful coordination to support validation and determination.

Working across disciplines

Alongside this core work, the project drew on expertise from across our wider in-house teams. Ecology surveys informed understanding of habitats and protected species, including birds, bats and badgers. Input from our Arboriculture team supported tree retention and protection, particularly important within the typically open Lincolnshire landscape. Landscape design and land management planning helped shape a scheme that responds to its setting, incorporating biodiversity net gain, drainage features and planting strategies to support long-term environmental outcomes.

Geospatial support underpinned this work across all disciplines, providing a consistent spatial framework for data collection, analysis and reporting. This helped ensure that information was aligned, accessible and effectively communicated across the project team. Working in this way allowed for a joined-up approach, ensuring that design, assessment and mitigation were aligned throughout the project.

The findings from across the project informed the evolution of the scheme. Adjustments to alignment, earthworks, drainage and access helped reduce impacts where possible. Where impacts could not be avoided, appropriate mitigation was secured.

This included pre-construction archaeological works supported by a Written Scheme of Investigation, alongside environmental mitigation measures relating to visual impact and noise, helping to manage how the scheme will be experienced both during construction and in the long term.

Delivering a positive outcome

Full planning approval has now been granted, with environmental, historic and landscape considerations embedded within the scheme. From a heritage perspective, our Historic Environment team continues to play an active role in discharging planning conditions relating to archaeology. This has included managing a major programme of archaeological excavation ahead of enabling works, providing valuable insight into the agricultural and industrial landscape surrounding the Roman town of Lincoln.

The project demonstrates the value of bringing together multiple disciplines to deliver infrastructure that responds to its setting while meeting practical delivery needs.