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| It is unlikely HS2 would have been much benefit to the Grimsby area, so the cancellation funding is a welcome and unexpected windfall. |
IT looks like North East Lincolnshire could be in line for a £119-million windfall from Whitehall following the cancellation of the northern section of the HS2 railway.
It is understood the funding will be allocated over seven years rather than in a single splash-out.
How it is spent will be determined by the council with input from MPs (and possibly residents).
In total, £4.7-billion has been allocated to councils across the Midlands and northern England.
Options for them to consider include:
* Building new roads and improving junctions
* Installing or expanding mass transit systems
* Improving roads by filling in potholes and better street lighting for personal safety
* Improving journey times for car and bus users by tackling congestion
* Increasing the number of EV chargepoints
* Refurbishing bus and rail stations
* Improving our streets so they are safer to walk children to school
It is possible NELC will seek clarification if it might be permissible for some of the money to be spent covering the escalating costs of repairs to Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge.
The authority will also be mindful of calls for construction of a state-of-the-art bus station in Grimsby town centre.
However, the prospect of new road-building could flash red lights - especially among those concerned about safeguarding the environment.
The Department of Transport says: "Councils will work with local MPs, and they will be held to account by the Government as well as their communities to make sure the money is spent promptly and effectively.
"Local councils will be expected to publish their delivery plans for which projects they wish to invest in."
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| Transport Secretary Mark Harper - the man overseeing how local authorities splash their cash |
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