Lincolnshire County Councillors vote to fund highways improvements over children’s holiday activities

Coun Phil Dilks, speaking at the county council.

Lincolnshire County Councillors have voted to allocate £10 million towards highway improvements, despite vocal calls for a portion of the funds to be used for children’s activities during school holidays.

Council leader Martin Hill (Conservative) led the motion, stating: “We are in the happy position of looking at what we’re going to do with this additional money. Highways are the major problem for us in the county.”

Coun Hill further argued that the council has consistently invested in highways over the last four years, totalling over £40 million.

“This money won’t get you many miles of total reconstruction. We want to be specific that this money should go to highways,” Hill added.

Council Leader Coun Martin Hill with the £12m funding campaign sign. Photo: Daniel Jaines

He also emphasised the council’s commitment to election promises, saying: “It’s about living up to your promises. When we went into the election in 2021, the commitment to highways was a priority.”

Last year, the government cut Lincolnshire County Council’s road maintenance funds by £12 million.

County leaders previously said the 25 per cent budget reduction means roads may not receive the required repairs, leaving thousands of potholes waiting to be fixed.

The government said the county received more than £116m to cover road maintenance between 2022 and 2025.

On the other side of the debate, Independent Councillor Phil Dilks proposed an amendment to allocate £1 million of the £10 million for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) p