Out of bounds! Three-storey car park in Grimsby closed after engineers identify structural damage

 

The car park - damage to the main support girders has been has been detected

THE three-storey Abbey Walk car park in Grimsby Town Centre has been "temporarily"  closed pending further safety checks.

All 427 spaces were placed out of bounds after the last car left yesterday evening.

North East Lincolnshire Council say this is "a precautionary measure following the findings of a pre-planned structural survey".

It says: "The closure is to ensure safety and to allow further in-depth investigations. 

"These are needed after this latest survey identified structural damage to the main steel support girders on the ground and first floors. 

"The further specialist surveys will be carried out as soon as possible to determine the best course of action.

"The above actions were taken by owners North East Lincolnshire Council and its delivery partner Equans, following an annual visual inspection. 

"During that inspection, it was recommended that a more specialist survey should be carried out."

The statement continues: "This immediate action has been taken to ensure people's safety.

"While we understand this may be an inconvenience, it must be safety first. 

"We must ensure that the necessary further surveys are now done before deciding on the best course of action. 

"We stress that this is not unusual with structures of this nature, especially those that take heavy traffic over long periods of time."

Alternative car parks close to the town centre include  Duchess Street, Garden Street, and the facility at the Fishing Heritage Centre. 

Freshney Place also has its own public car park.