Construction and civil engineering contractor GRAHAM has been appointed to carry out a major transformation of one of the East Riding of Yorkshire’s most congested road junctions.

Work on East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s £86.9m A164 and Jock’s Lodge Improvement Scheme is set to begin in spring 2024, with GRAHAM commissioned to undertake the project.

When complete in late 2026, it is planned that traffic travelling on one of the area’s busiest routes will be freed up – benefiting the whole of the East Riding region and helping to grow the local economy.

Northern Ireland-based GRAHAM, employs 2,200 people, is involved in more than 100 projects across the UK and Ireland and has 23 regional offices including one in Leeds.

The scheme will involve replacing the Jock’s Lodge junction on the outskirts of Beverley – which links the A164 Hull to Beverley and the A1079 Hull to York roads.

A new roundabout will be created on the A1079 to connect it with Beverley and part of the A164 will be widened into a dual carriageway.

Alastair Lewis, GRAHAM contracts director, said: “We’re delighted to be appointed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to deliver the A164 Jocks Lodge junction transformation scheme.

“The upgrade of the A164 and new junction arrangements with the A1079 dual carriageway, will alleviate congestion and enhance safety for non-motorists via dedicated pedestrian and cycling routes.

“Our track record of successfully delivering transformational civil engineering projects stands as testament to our commitment to the highest standards of work, professionalism, and technical expertise.

“We are proud to be East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s partner to deliver economic growth to the region.

“Over the next few months, the project team will be working hard to ensure the site is ready for the main build phase – we’re looking forward to playing our part in this pivotal project and leaving a lasting legacy”.

Visiting the site, councillor Gary McMaster added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome GRAHAM on board for this long-awaited scheme which is one of the council’s largest construction projects.

“The council has been working on this scheme for a number of years but now, with the funding in place and the appointment of the contractor, it means we can now move forward and make these improvements happen.

“When it’s finished, this will free traffic up on one of the busiest roads in the East Riding and, in turn, give a welcome boost to the local economy.”

The announcement of the contractor follows the confirmation, earlier this month, of Government funding for the scheme, during a visit to the site by the then Minister for Roads, Richard Holden MP.

The Department for Transport will contribute £40.7m to the project.

The council has already committed to investing £46.2million.

The A164 and Jock’s Lodge Improvement Scheme will involve the removal of the existing Jock’s Lodge junction and the construction of:

• A new roundabout along the A1079 Hull-to-York road, and a new road connecting it with the Lincoln Way/Minster Way roundabout in Beverley,
• Two new roads, travelling northbound and southbound, which will connect the new A1079 roundabout with the A164 further south, near Coppleflat Lane, Bentley.
• The A164 will also be widened into a dual carriageway between Coppleflat Lane and the roundabout with the B1233 Harland Way, Cottingham.
• North of Coppleflat Lane, the A164 will remain a single carriageway but with A1079-bound traffic diverted onto separate new link roads.

In preparation for the upgrade, the council has built a new roundabout at the junction of Main Street and Beverley Road, Skidby, as well as creating a new bus stop, which is due to be completed soon.

GRAHAM is currently involved in several highways and civil engineering infrastructure schemes, including working as lead contractor on the Western Growth Corridor scheme for City of Lincoln Council. The firm is also delivering improvements to the M2 Junction 5 on behalf of National Highways.

(Picture – GRAHAM showing From left, Andrew Humphrey (ERYC principal engineer and project manager for the scheme), Councillor Gary McMaster shaking the hand of Alastair Lewis (GRAHAM contracts director), Richard Lewis (ERYC civil engineering service manager). (Jock’s Lodge contractor 1))