How safe is Fuller Street footbridge in Cleethorpes - and has time come for its removal?

                                              

The footbridge enables pedestrians to cross from Fuller Street to the Humber North Wall

OUGHT North East Lincolnshire Council to be doing more to make the Fuller Street bridge and North Wall area in Cleethorpes safer?

Yes, according to Independent councillors Steve Holland and Paul Henderson who are pressing for release of 

* Updated crime data

* Evidence of community consultation

* Input of police intelligence

There is a proposal for signage to  be installed warning people not to cross at night and to use alternative routes, but the two councillors believe this is insufficient.

They are also calling for  more steps to "safeguard people using the bridge, beyond advising them not to use it as it is dangerous".

They add: "There needs to  a robust plan to avoid the area becoming a no-go part of Cleethorpes."

At a communities scrutiny panel meeting on Thursday afternoon, it is possible that Cllr Henderson will expand further.

Meanwhile, another more controversial option is doing the rounds - that of removing the bridge which is believed to have been installed in 1975.

A report compiled by a NELC officer states: "As it is not a recognised Public Right of Way or Highway Structure, restrictions do not apply - only any historical legal agreement that may exist between the council and Network Rail. 

"Of note is  the close proximity of the new Suggitts Lane footbridge which could be used by the public as an alternative access to the sea wall area should this option be progressed."

                                        

Councillors likely to approve continued spraying of controversial chemical on inconvenient plantlife

Let's get spraying - an NELC operative sets off on his rounds

IT looks like North East Council will continue to use a controversial poison to 'treat' roads, paths and green spaces during the rest of  this year.

But in doing so, will the authority be putting at risk the health of residents, their pets and wildlife  - and itself at risk of litigation?

At this  week’s meeting of NELC’s communities scrutiny panel, members will be asked to give the nod to continued use of Glyphosate - better known as Roundup - despite concerns that it may be a causative of the disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Last week, its manufacturer, Monsanto/Bayer, again insisted that there was no proof of a link but still agreed to set aside a staggering £5.35-billion to placate litigants (past, present and future) in the United States.

Glyphosate is currently deemed safe by British and European authorities but only to the end of this year pending the outcome of an ongoing review.

There have been calls locally for restrictions on its use, especially in parks, nature reserves and on highway verges.

In a report to meeting, NELC's assistant director of the environment, Kath Jickells, acknowledges that some residents are "passionate" about  reducing glyphosate-use.

She also notes that children are "especially concerned about our environment, and it is essential to engage with them on environmental matters".   

However, she believes continued poisoning  of wild flowers - commonly known as  'weeds' - is essential for the following reasons: 

• Appearance - 'weeds' can detract from the overall appearance of an area.  

• Safety - 'weed' growth can interfere with visibility for road users and obscure traffic. 

• Drainage - 'weeds' in kerbs or around drains can prevent or slow down surface water drainage.  

• Damage - 'weed' growth can affect paved surfaces and force kerbs apart, increasing maintenance costs and impacting on pedestrian safety. 

With up to three applications per annum, the council treats approximately 1200km of the highway network  and numerous public open spaces including its nature reserves. 

The communities scrutiny panel meeting is due to be held this Thursday afternoon in Grimsby Town Hall.

The Grimsby News says:  NELC is too relaxed - not to say casual - in its continued use of a chemical, the whole purpose of which is to be poisonous. The authority acknowledges the risk by requiring those of its operatives who apply it to safeguard  themselves with protective clothing and with face masks. However, these employees go about their business in places where members of the public are unprotected and probably mostly unaware of the extent to which their wellbeing is being compromised. Far better to be safe than sorry. NELC should pause its use of glyphosate at least until the outcome of a wide-ranging and soon-to-be-published review of its impact on humans, pets and wildlife. Failing that, the council should, at the very least, publish public notices indicating when individual roads, paths and parks  are to be sprayed  so that concerned residents are made aware of when they need to make themselves scarce.                                        

Mindful of his own personal safety, the operative is fully protected - not so any individuals unfortunate enough to be nearby

                                                 

Makeover could be on the cards for empty office block in Grimsby's Top Town

                                             

Devonshire House - refurbishment in the pipeline

HOPES are rising of a new and brighter future for the long-unloved Devonshire House building in Grimsby's Top Town. 

Subject to planning consent being granted by North East Lincolnshire Council, a London-based company, Romano International Ltd, intends to carry out improvements to the empty office block to make it more attractive to prospective tenants.

These would include: 

* The replacement and upgrading of all existing windows.

* The installation of a new glazed entrance serving the upper floors fronting Bull Ring Lane

* The installation of new double doors.

* The creation of a new internal bin store with access provided from the rear 

Assuming it proceeds, the project will dovetail well with the ongoing redevelopment of this part of town.

When a survey of the property was carried out in March ten years ago, it revealed the presence of potentially harmful asbestos.

It is not known if this has since been removed.

Slate roof and other upper sections of Cleethorpes Town Hall in need of some tender loving care

                                                         

The handsome building requires some skilled attention

REPAIR works are soon likely to be carried out on the upper sections of Cleethorpes Town Hall.

Whichever firm wins the contract will face the following tasks:

* Replacement works to failed flat roof leadwork and cornicing leadwork

* Repairs to existing slate roofing

* Masonry repairs to parapet coping stones and chimney structures

* Renewal of failed or undersized rainwater goods

* Modification of existing protective greenhouse structure currently providing protection to the leaded light roof dome.

Before a contractor is appointed, listed building consent will be needed from North East Lincolnshire Council, but it is thought that this will be a formality.

Let's all applaud! Council leader says NELC must be commended for 'positive and prudent' performance

Cllr Jackson - 'sensible'

A 4.5 per cent increase in council tax is in prospect for North East Lincolnshire residents.

It is expected that this will be confirmed at the meeting this evening (Thursday) of the full council.

Originally, the proposal was for the increase to be 4.99 per cent - the maximum permissible - but, with local elections looming in May, the cabinet seems to have decided that a lower rise would be more politically expedient.

However, this is not how the change-of-heart is being presented.

Refusing to boast, NELC leader Cllr Phillip Jackson says: "I am pleased to say that this council has reported a solid and stable financial position over the last 12 months

"We end the year with one of the most positive performances for some considerable time.

"This must be applauded. 

"In the face of continued challenges for all local authorities in the country, here in North East Lincolnshire we have, and continue to, transform services, lead regeneration and drive change whilst being prudent and sensible in how we achieve all of this."

Why have lawns in Pier Gardens when you can have paving instead?

 

All smiles from North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson and Tom Taylor of paving specialists Maylim as they set to work on removing the first of the lawns in Pier Gardens as part of what is described as a 'regeneration' project. During the course of this week, a mile of fencing has been installed around the whole perimeter of the parkland to block access to all but contractors. Residents and visitors will be able to watch progress because, instead of  unsightly hoarding (as at Sea Road), activity will be clearly visible through the wire fencing. The works are due to be completed by spring next year.                                       

                                         

Report highlights concerns over TB health risk to street-sleepers and sofa-hoppers

A WORRYING note has been sounded on the presence  of  tuberculosis (TB) in parts of North East Lincolnshire.

A recently-published report states: "A range of factors associated with complex lives in white British people living in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the borough have been associated with a much greater than expected number of TB related deaths.

"Some of these deaths were linked to networks of individuals who drank together in certain pubs.  

"TB diagnosis frequently came very late and was often not suspected as a cause of the person’s symptoms.  

"Following this, awareness-raising presentations were made at a number of GP practice related forums."

The report notes that, six years ago, a pilot TB screening project had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic, but, with the appointment a part-time nurse,  it went ahead in September 2024 with the intention not just of securing extra screening but also of assisting in the management of any new positive cases.

Among the first 65 tested were individuals engaged in a local homeless charity. 

The report continues: "This resulted in a 12.3 per cent positive screen rate - much higher than expected, indicating that there is a significant level of undiagnosed TB in North East Lincolnshire."

The disease can be "latent" rather than "active" but it still requires monitoring, putting pressure on health services.

The project was then put on ice pending a review of a number of emerging issues and concerns.

These have included:

• Capacity in the existing TB team to perform increased screenings 

• Capacity in the existing TB team to manage increased cases, including case support, follow-up, treatment plans and adherence 

• A bottleneck in the system due to long waits both for hospital test results and for consultant-led clinic appointments for diagnosis confirmation and management/treatment planning. 

• Public health risk arising from  homelessness with some individuals sofa-hopping, using hostels and street-sleeping.

There has also been a worry about asylum-seekers slipping through the system. 

The report states: "The public health risk of this missed screening is of great concern and has the potential to result in additional demands on the TB services and the wider health system if not addressed."

In the wake of the concerns, North East Lincolnshire's Health Protection Team is actively involved in a review of the current TB service in partnership with other healthcare professionals "in the hope that these issues can be addressed".