Plans to boost North Lincolnshire's transport infrastructure have reached a significant milestone with the completion of Phase 1 of the M181 'southern junction' project.

Led by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with National Highways, the multi-million-pound scheme includes the construction of a new motorway junction at the southern end of the M181. This new connection marks the end of the motorway and lays the groundwork for future phases that will link it to Burringham Road, the Lincolnshire Lakes development, and the western areas of Scunthorpe.

The project was delivered by North of England contractor Esh Construction, using Government funding provided via National Highways. It builds on the earlier success of the 2021 Northern Junction upgrade, the first enhancement to the M181 since it opened in 1978, which unlocked 550 acres of land for commercial and residential development, including the upcoming Fore Point employment park.

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The southern junction is part of more than £10 million in infrastructure investment in the region. It supports North Lincolnshire Council’s long-term regeneration strategy, which aims to reduce congestion, shorten commute times, and enable housing and business growth by delivering infrastructure improvements first.

The newly completed junction also includes the future Burringham bypass route, designed to ease traffic for residents in Burringham and surrounding areas, and improve travel through key junctions like Berkeley Circle.

As part of the project's social value commitments under the Constructing Local strategy, Esh Construction provided 46 apprentice weeks, 32 hours of community volunteering, and is managing a £25,000 refurbishment of the café at Lindsay Lodge Hospice.

The scheme is the first secured by Esh through YORhub's YORcivil3 framework and was delivered in collaboration with engineering consultants Alan Wood & Partners and Mason Clark Associates.