Early works to start at Grimsby's Garth Lane site

WORK to transform a prime Grimsby town centre site is to start, as contractors take all the necessary precautions to comply with COVID-19 safety and hygiene restrictions.

It has been confirmed that, with adequate supplies of the materials available, an initial phase of the £3.5million Garth Lane waterfront project will get underway on the Freshney Place side of Frederick Ward Way next week, Monday April 20.

This represents a change to the initial planned phasing of works, which had been delayed due to the coronavirus crisis and involves the re-modelling and re-paving of a section of the footway, on the south east side of the junction of Frederick Ward Way and Victoria Street South, which leads to the vehicle entrance to the car park.

The existing traffic signals at the junction will be replaced with temporary lights during the work and alternative pedestrian crossing locations will be provided, with the road reduced to one lane on this side. Meanwhile, the central island on the Victoria Street South carriageway, which is the small section of road between Frederick Ward Way and the entrance to Freshney Place car park, is also being replaced as part of this eight-week phase.

As reported, the Garth Lane footbridge and its surrounding waterfront and public areas are being revitalised as part of the £3.5million project.

A total of £2.2m has been secured directly from The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with funding released as a result of the Grimsby Town Deal. A further £1.3m has been secured from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Local Growth Fund allocation, as part of a wider scheme to unlock the potential of Grimsby town centre.

This first phase of the work, being undertaken by contractors C.R. Reynolds on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner ENGIE, has been structured to ensure it can be discontinued safely should Government restrictions change.

Control measures will be in place in accordance with national advice from the construction sector and central Government to ensure worker safety, including social distancing rules, altered travel and welfare arrangements and the cleansing of equipment and vehicles.

Once this phase is complete, the situation will be assessed as to when the main bulk of the project can start. This involves similar work on the Riverhead side of Frederick Ward Way and then a complete transformation of the Garth Lane area itself with a new 5m-wide footbridge, improvements to the accessibility of the riverside with layered steps and seating areas, and replanting on the riverbanks and surrounding green spaces, with creative artwork included.

Announcing the works’ start, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration, Cllr John Fenty, said: “The work here will form a vital part of the complete redevelopment of the Garth Lane area - a visible change to the town as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, creating a space that people can enjoy. It is a key and historic part of our town centre and our aim is to reflect that in the work we are doing.”

Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber LEP, said: “We are very pleased to allocate £1.3m from the Local Growth Fund alongside the Grimsby Town Deal to support these works at Garth Lane, which will further enhance Grimsby’s waterside areas and help attract further investment in the town.”

Simon Clarke MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said:

“Town Deals are a key part of this government’s strategy to grow our regional economies. Towns like Grimsby have a proud history as the birthplaces of industry, and it is right that they lead the way in levelling up prosperity across our nation.”

To find out more about the plans, visit www.investnel.co.uk.