PROPOSED NEW CLEETHORPES LIFEBOAT STATION: THE UPSIDE AND THE DOWNSIDE

                                                                   

Coming by 2023 - the new lifeboat station

THE good news: It  looks like works on the proposed new Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station will start in 2022.

The bad news: Part of the main holiday beach will become a cordoned-off building site for most of the next two years. 

The £3-million project has been bogged down by red tape, but a  report published by North East Lincolnshire Council indicates that the ball will start rolling next spring.

It reads: "Dates have now been agreed between North East Lincolnshire Council  and the RNLI to start the physical works of the main build of the boathouse with proposed completion by mid-2023.

"The new station will be built on the beach in front of the current station and will have its own slipway for launch and recovery of the boats. 

"Currently, the lifeboat must cross a public road near a blind bend. 

"The new facility will provide the capability to position a second lifeboat at Cleethorpes and be able to respond more quickly, in a wider range of weather conditions, to a larger variety of incidents while keeping its volunteers safer. 

"Changing and training facilities will also be improved, and the RNLI shop will move on site as well, giving shop volunteers access to running water and a WC, neither of which is available in the current shop."

The report continues: "Piling works will take place between May 1 and August 31 to minimise the risk of disturbance to over-wintering shorebirds such as curlew, redshank, knot, godwits and sanderling - all of them in global decline.

"For a month from April 4 next year, the site will be set up, with piling taking place for 10 weeks from May 9.

"During the works, there will be a partial footpath closure of the central promenade. 

"An area of the beach will also be cordoned off during the works for safety reasons. 

"Council officers are currently looking into the reconfiguration of the required parking spaces to meet the RNLI’s needs but also ensure that there is minimal impact on the central promenade.

"The RNLI are also aware of significant events due to take place during the 2022 summer season and are very keen to work with organisers as it is mutually beneficial to them to minimise impact."

Poorly located - existing car park is on a public highway and blind bend 

                                          

Natural England has insisted  that works must not be carried out during winter for fear of disturbing shorebirds such as these sanderling and dunlin

The Grimsby News says: The new lifeboat house will be a precious,  asset, but controversy is inevitable. In the short term, construction will adversely effect the summer season for next year and probably for 2023 as well. After completion, the beach will be bisected with unpleasing visual consequences. But the facility will help to save lives - and that has to be the paramount consideration.