Grimsby Central Library likely to remain closed until last fibre of problematic asbestos is removed

                                                                  

Grimsby Library - some books and historic local archives have "temporarily" been re-located to other premises

THERE is still no word on a re-opening date for Grimsby Library following its abrupt closure late last month

The doors have not re-opened since March 28 when they were closed after overnight rainfall was said to have leaked into the premises.

In a statement issued today, North East Lincolnshire Council said: "Grimsby Central Library building had to close at short notice after a water leak created a risk of asbestos disturbance. 

"As was common at the time of its construction and opening 58 years ago, the building and materials within it contain asbestos.

"Further work is now needed with assessments and necessary asbestos removal.

"The building will remain closed for some time as this is carried out. 

"In the meantime, the safe removal of the local history archives and books will take place."

The statement continues: "A temporary location for the service in the town centre is being sought, with considerations such as space, location and the IT infrastructure that is needed. 

"Further details will be released as soon as possible."

Some services are being transferred to the libraries at Cleethorpes, Immingham and Waltham.

Staff on the reception desk at the council's Grimsby municipal offices, opposite the town hall, have been asked to help out by accepting books being returned from their loans.

Because they do not have the wherewithal to impose fines on overdue books, the fines are being waived.

Says NELC's libraries portfolio holder Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "Like almost all buildings of this age, asbestos is an issue and until this is dealt with properly, we cannot move forward with any plans for this building.  

"The recent water leak and subsequent damage has accelerated essential asbestos removal works that would have always been needed.  

"We will ensure we move as swiftly as we possibly can, and in the meantime, we do apologise for the inconvenience for library users."

Hoarding may need to be installed around whole of Pier Gardens during proposed summer revamp

                                                    

 Pier Gardens where the lush lawns are likely to be stripped out (behind hoarding) to make way for hard surfacing 

HOARDING is likely to be installed around the perimeter of the whole of Pier Gardens during the forthcoming ‘re-modelling’ project.

This will provide privacy for the contractors and security for their earth-moving vehicles and other heavy machinery while the historic lawns and shrubs are replaced with hard surfacing of various types.

It is understood that the council's project board regards hoarding as preferable to the even more unsightly Heras fencing that has created an eyesore at one corner of the adjacent Sea Road development site.

The downside is that the installation will  both scar the seafront and put it out of bounds to both residents and visitors throughout the whole of the summer season - including armed forces weekend at the end of June.

There may also be an adverse impact on trading at shops, restaurants and other business on Alexandra Road, especially if sea breezes waft clouds of dust into their premises.

North East Lincolnshire Council administration had hoped that  work might start on the Pier Gardens revamp at the start of next month, but it is running behind schedule.

Because of modest interest from contractors, the authority has extended the bidding deadline from the end of March to the end of this month.

Evaluating the bids will also take time, and it now seems unlikely the project will start in earnest much before June at the earliest.

As with the Sea Road hoarding, planning consent will be required before hoarding can be installed, but, as yet, no application has been submitted by NELC.

The great Corporation Road Bridge fiasco - independent report reveals why things went wrong

                                                 

Corporation Road Bridge - 'significant delays and cost overruns'

LOCAL government watchdogs have pointed out failings by North East Lincolnshire Council's oversight of the long-running Corporation Road Bridge repairs project.

They say: "Significant delays and cost overruns have  seen the reputation of the service suffer.

"Rebuilding trust with stakeholders will take time." 

The inspection report goes on to suggest that NELC's big mistake was to treat repairs to the bridge as a "simple highways structure project".

The authority failed to take into account the heritage status of the structure, "leading to erroneous time and cost estimations". 

The inspectors says that, in future, greater consideration needs to be given to the composition of project  boards  in order to "ensure that the right experience and skills are available to scrutinise and direct the project adequately."

The independent review is also critical of NELC for  its "project-by-project" approach to procurement. 

It states: "In this respect, the capital programme, resembles a portfolio of individual projects managed one at a time rather than as a continuous pipeline of work. 

"Little consideration seems to be made of the benefits approaching the market with a programme or part-programme of work going forward, potentially offering aggregation benefits to the council. 

"The experience of other councils shows that adopting a longer term and  more strategic approach to procurement offers both tangible and non-tangible benefits. 

"The former offers the potential for discounting and volume efficiencies, particularly from construction partners if multiple, consecutive projects are taken to market at the same time. 

"Non-tangible benefits might include collaborative working and joint learning between NELC and its supply chain partners, leading to operational efficiencies.

"It can also lead to a greater realisation of social value, particularly around local economic benefit and the creation of  apprenticeships". 

On the plus side, the inspectors - all thought to be individuals with local government experience - sees signs NELC has now begun to improve its processes.

Their review also compliments NELC as "a mature and ambitious organisation, keen to do its best for the people of North East Lincolnshire."

It concludes: "There is a positive attitude to change and a genuine desire to improve how the capital programme is delivered". 

The Grimsby News says: "It is far from certain that NELC has learned lessons from the Corporation Road Bridge fiasco. Given its age and importance to Cleethorpes' residents and visitors, the Pier Gardens re-modelling scheme is just as much a heritage project. Yet the administration is blundering ahead without the benefit either of public enthusiasm or planning consent. Its only prompts seem to have been the whim of a here-today-gone-tomorrow London-based consultancy and the pledge of  barrel loads of Levelling-up cash from Whitehall. As for two other projects - the Freshney Place revamp and the re-design of Cleethorpes Market Place, the best that can be said is that the jury is still out.

NELC announces programme of temporary road closures while contractors carry out pre-patching

                                                             

SHORT-term road closures are in prospect this month to allow-pre-patching in readiness for carriageway surface treatment later this year. 

Footpath access will be maintained at all times.

As from tomorrow. the closures are as follows:

Wednesday 9 April 2025 between 7:30am and  16.30pm

Oxford Street (Phase 1) – between Stanley Street and Park Street.

Thursday 10 April 2025 between 7:30am and 16.30pm

Oxford Street (Phase 2) – between Victor Street and Stanley Street.

Friday 11 April 2025 between 7:30am and 17:00pm

Heneage Road – between Welholme Road and Patrick Street.

Friday 11 April 2025 for 1 day between 9:00am and 18:00pm

Fords Avenue – between house no 9 and Nicholson Road

Monday 14 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and 17:00pm

Heneage Road – between Patrick Street and Algernon Street.

Tuesday 15 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and 17:00pm

Heneage Road – between Algernon Street and Weelsby Road.

Wednesday 16 April 2025 for 1 night between 19:00pm and 4:00am

Tetney Road between Humberston Avenue and Tetney Road Service Station.

Thursday 17 April 2025 for 1 night between 19:00pm and 4:00am

Tetney Road between Tetney Road Service Station and the borough boundary near Tetney.

Tuesday 22 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and  16:30pm

Algernon Street – between Hainton Avenue and Heneage Road.

Wednesday 23 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and  16:30pm

Algernon Street- between Heneage Road and the end of Algernon Street near 75 Algernon Street.

Thursday 24 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and 16:30pm

Torrington Street – between Hainton Avenue and Heneage Road.

Friday 25 April 2025 for 1 day between 7:30am and  16:30pm

Torrington Street – between Heneage Road and the end of Torrington Street near 123 Torrington Street

During the works, on-street parking will be suspended within the closure extents, and no vehicle access will be permitted. 

Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the works.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul? It's farewell to Pier Gardens for dozens of its much-loved shrubs

 

Help yourselves! The shrubs removal teams move in

DOZENS of mature shrubs and other plants are being removed from Pier Gardens in preparation for much of the greenery to be replaced with hard surfacing.

Although they were all healthy and long-lived, North East Lincolnshire Council believes the shrubs have outlived their value to the resort.

The first batch of unwanted shrubs have been transferred to a rose garden and the West Marsh allotments site in Grimsby and to the family hub in Immingham for the purpose of creating a 24-metre planted border.

They were dug up by teams from  Grimsby in Bloom and Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire.

The shrubs are said to include lavender and bamboo.

Enthuses Rob Patchett of VANEL: "This is an excellent idea, and we are thrilled to be part of this project.

"Personally, I like the fact these plants will be spread across the borough so there will be a little bit of Pier Gardens in numerous locations across the borough."

Equally "thrilled" is John Walker, of  Grimsby in Bloom, who says: "We are doing a lot of work in relation to regeneration in Grimsby, so it’s great to be involved with Cleethorpes, too. 

"The plants we’ve chosen will be used to build up shrubbery  and be used by our volunteers to learn how to care for plants."

It is not known how many existing shrubs and plants will be retained in Pier Gardens, nor whether it will continue to be referred to as a 'gardens'. 

Alternative titles, such as 'concourse' and 'plaza', have been suggested for some parts of the site.

NELC insists there will be  some new planting both "to provide a playful, dynamic that moves and changes with the seasons"  and "support numerous bird species and insects".

As yet, however, it has not identified what bird  species and insects it expects might be "supported".

An example of what might be on offer can be seen at the revamped Riverhead Square in Grimsby, though, thus far, some regard this project to have been underwhelming.

Regarding  Pier Gardens' trees, some whitebeams on the perimeter  have been felled though the council says it hopes to remain most of the others which are fine, mature and healthy specimens.

Says a spokesperson: "Where trees have been removed, this is to open up views in key areas, facilitate elements of the design or to benefit the wider health of other trees across the site."

A third individual said by the authority to be "thrilled" at what is happening is NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson.

Says he: "Our regeneration scheme for the site marks huge positive change for Cleethorpes."

NELC has not revealed how many Cleethorpes councillors, residents and visitors have been consulted about the transfer of shrubs to other parts of the borough.

It maintains the remodelling will be of  "benefit" to residents and visitors alike. 

Out they come! Whether they like it  or not the shrubs are being taken away from Cleethorpes  

Success for councillor in controversial bid to fell conifers despite objection from NELC trees officer

                                           

It looks like curtains for this strip of conifer tree on Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes

 

A LINE of conifer trees in Cleethorpes  looks likely to be felled.

At a North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting, members gave the go-ahead for the trees at the junction  of Taylors Avenue and Middlethorpe Road to be removed to make way for . . . a 1.8-metre high fence.

The decision came in the face of the council’s policy which is to safeguard trees as part of its ‘greening’ agenda.

In this particular case, the council’s trees officer, Paul Chaplin further stated that the conifers' replacement with a fence would have "a detrimental impact" on the existing ambience and visual character of Taylors Avenue.

But he was overruled by councillors who agree with the applicant, their long serving and popular planning committee colleague Cllr Bill Parkinson, that a fence will look more pleasing.

Cllr Parkinson took part no part in the decision-making process and was absent from the discussion.

However, the trees' date with a chainsaw may be delayed, at least until autumn, because the 2025 bird nesting season is now in full swing and  disturbance would risk putting the councillor in breach of the law.

A condition of the planning consent is that the fence must be painted green.

The Grimsby News says: What is the point of the council formulating  a safeguarding policy on trees if it then allows it so readily to be disregarded? And can the planning committee really  be totally impartial in its decision-making if the applicant is its longest serving member and, to everyone who knows him, a jolly good egg? Whatever the pros and cons of this proposal, it should have been determined independently, either by members of another planning authority or by an impartial inspector. 

Countdown to collision: Marine Accident Investigation Bureau publishes first findings on what went wrong

                                                     

Schematic of last Monday's accident (photo: Fortuna imperatrix  mundi via Wikimedia Commons)

The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau has today published its preliminary findings on the ship collision near the mouth of the Humber Estuary on March 10.

 As Stena Immaculate approached the Humber Estuary on 9 March 2025, the officer of the watch contacted Associate British Ports (ABP) Vessel Traffic Services Humber and was advised to proceed to anchor at a position 5 miles to the north of the Humber light float and 2 miles clear of any pipeline. 

At about 18302, Stena Immaculate’s master manoeuvred the vessel as directed to a position north of ABP Humber’s area of responsibility where it anchored. 

There were eight other vessels anchored in the same area.

 By 2000 on 9 March 2025, Solong had departed Grangemouth, Scotland, disembarked the pilot and commenced its passage to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

Solong’s planned passage followed a route the vessel had used in the past. 

The master remained on watch until shortly before 2300, then handed the watch over to the second officer and retired to bed.

Shortly before midnight, Stena Immaculate’s second officer  took over the anchor watch at the start of a 12-hour duty period.

 At approximately 0130 on 10 March 2025, Solong passed the Longstone Lighthouse off the north-east coast of England and altered course onto a heading of approximately 150°. 

Solong maintained this course except for a slight deviation at 0345.

 At 0700, Solong’s master returned to the bridge and took over the watch as the lone watchkeeper. 

The visibility in the area north of the Humber light float was reported to be patchy and varying between 0.25 nautical miles (nm) and 2.0nm. 

Neither Solong nor Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout on the bridge. 

At 0947, Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate’s port side on a heading of 150° and speed over the ground of about 16 knots ). 

Able seaman Mark Pernia, one of Solong’s crew, was reported to be in the forecastle area at the time of the collision.

The collision breached Stena Immaculate’s No.7 port cargo tank, releasing aviation fuel into the sea and on to the bow of Solong. 

The aviation fuel was ignited by the heat generated by the force of the collision, and the resulting fire ignited the contents of containers carried on board Solong. 

The crews of both Solong and Stena Immaculate took immediate action to address the evolving situation. 

Attempts by Stena Immaculate’s crew to fight the fire, and for Solong’s crew to locate the missing able seaman were hampered by the severity of the fire. 

Both the Stena Immaculate and the Solong crew abandoned to lifeboats and were subsequently recovered by the efforts of local boats and emergency responders, coordinated by His Majesty’s Coastguard.

 Able seaman Mark Pernia has not been found and is believed to have died in the accident.

Both Solong and Stena Immaculate are currently undergoing salvage operations and an evaluation of the nature and extent of pollution from both vessels is in progress.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. 

This will encompass:

* The navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels

*Manning and fatigue management

* The condition and maintenance of the vessels involved

*The use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary

* The environmental conditions at the time 

A report of the investigation will be drafted and will be distributed to key stakeholders for a 30-day consultation period in due course. 

The race to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire - full line-up of candidates

                                            

Grimsby Town Hall where the votes will be counted in to the night with the result likely to be announced at daybreak on Friday May 2 

THE following individuals have thrown their hats into the ring to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire:    

* Sally Horscroft - Green Party

* Andrea Jenkyns – Reform UK

* Marianne Overton – Independent

* Jason Stockwood – Labour

* Rob Waltham – Conservative

* Trevor Young - Liberal Democrats

Nominations closed at 4pm today.

Polling will take place in Grimsby Town Hall  on May 1.

The wait goes on - work unlikely to start on Sea Road 'amenities' building before end of April

                                                         

How the proposed Sea Road building might look after dark 

 

THE delay in starting construction of the proposed 'amenities' building in Sea Road, Cleethorpes, looks set to continue at least until after the Easter holiday.

There has been next to no progress on the project since the start of the year, partly after it emerged that telephone cables under the site needed to be-routed.

Says a spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council:  "The final set of utility diversions (BT Openreach) will be completed in early April.

"This means that construction  will start soon after the Easter break."

The intention is for the building to incorporate state-of-the-art WCs to replace those that previously existed (along with a pub) on the same site.

Because, these WCS are not ready, NELC faces the unwelcome cost of hiring portable loos which will be in  place at least until; the end of summer.

Meanwhile, the proposed 're-modelling' project for nearby Pier Gardens is also on hold.

NELC has not yet appointed a contractor, nor even applied for planning permission for what is a major scheme, involving the replacement of the long-established lawns with hard surfacing of various types.

It is believed to have consulted with organisations such as Historic England, Anglian Water and drainage and ecology experts, but so far their advice is being kept under wraps.   

Council issues start-of-the month update on long-running repairs to Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge

                                                          

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued this update on the Corporation Road Bridge re[pairs project.

Works to Grade II listed structure, Corporation Road Bridge have been progressing, with grit blasting and painting works continuing to Spans 5 and 6.

The northern footway has been waterproofed and is about to be surfaced to allow the switching of works to the opposite side. 

As this work is undertaken, the pedestrian footway will switch from the south side of the bridge to the north side.

A final footway treatment will be added later in the works.

To take advantage of anticipated low tide levels, weekend working will also continue to take place this month.

Footway closures are also required while works are taking place adjacent to public areas to ensure the safety of both the public and the workers on site.

To help complete remaining sections of the works the footway may be closed for  one or two days a week if conditions allow.

Footway closures will take place between 9am and 4pm each weekday as detailed below. 

The footway will remain open during the weekend working dates. Temporary signs will be in place for the footway closures.

April 2025 weekend working and footway closure dates:

South footway closures

Tuesday 1 April

Wednesday 2 April (provisional)

Wednesday 9 April

Wednesday 16 April

Wednesday 23 April

Wednesday 30 April

Weekend working

Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April

Saturday 19 April and Sunday 20 April

North East Lincolnshire Council, its delivery partner, Equans, and the  contractor, Spencer Group, would like to thank the public for their patience while the work is being undertaken.

Colourfully-plumaged birds could be introduced to Freshney Place as footfall-boosting visitor attraction

 

Freshney Place offers plenty of natural light and the roof is high

FREE-flying exotic birds such as parrots, macaws, tanagers and hummingbirds  could  be introduced to Grimsby's Freshney Place shopping centre as a visitor attraction.

It is believed such an initiative could encourage more footfall to the potential trading benefit of those shops which have a presence within the premises.

The proposal would ‘dovetail' with North East Lincolnshire Council’s aspiration to extend Freshney Place’s traditional role as  a retail centre to one offering leisure, entertainment and a medical facility.

However, it is not the NELC administration which  has come up with the brainchild but an organisation called the Institute of Applied Ornithology which has links not just with international avian organisations but also zoos all over the world.

Says chief executive Robin Finch: “In effect, Freshney Place would become a giant indoor aviary.

"Because, it is so blessed with natural daylight and a high atrium, we think it is ideal for such a venture.

"If successful, we think it could be adopted at Meadowhall, Brent Cross and other UK shopping centres.

"As yet, we have not identified our preferred species, but we would obviously favour those with bright plumage - the whole purpose is to provide shoppers with  a sense of magic and wonder with splashes of fast-moving colour.

"As well as creating a vibrant shopping experience, we think this concept will encourage greater interest in birds and the natural environment."

From where might our feathered friends be sourced? 

There is no question of using British species in this venture because it is against the law  to capture wild birds.

Although there is an extensive global black market in trapped wildlife, the institute deems it unethical as well illegal to import wild caught birds, and insists it would shun any offers from unscrupulous rogue traders.

Instead, it would take advantage of its long-established links with zoos all over the world to buy or borrow birds that derive from long-established aviary-bred bloodlines.

Assuming the project proceeds, Some adjustments would need to be made to the entrance and exit points of Freshney Place to prevent the birds from escaping.

In order to provide perching, roosting and foraging habitat, natural foliage, including some tall trees and shrubs, will also be required.

According to plans seen by the Grimsby News,  these would be located along the whole length of the centre of the walkway.

Up to four jobs would be created. 

The main responsibilities of those engaged would be both to ensure the welfare of the birds and plants and to keep the centre clean.

However, ‘educational engagement’ with the public, including school parties, would also be  part of the job description.

As far as is known, shopkeepers welcome the proposal, though management at clothing retailers have cautioned about birds flying into their premises and potentially soiling stock.

It is understood one birdfood supplier with strong links to the area has been approached to partsponsor the venture.

It would not set a Grimsby  precedent if birds were free-flying within Freshney Place. In October, 2022, there was a Sparrowhawk (above) in the main Asda store in Grimsby. However, it proved such a distraction to shoppers (below) and staff that it was released after just a few days.

                                 

Another win for China as chemicals company Solensis pulls plug on Grimsby factory

                                                                   

The curtain comes down on another South Bank chemicals factory 

PRODUCTION of  chemicals is today reported to have ceased at the Solenis factory on Moody Lane in Grimsby with the loss of 26 jobs. 

Sluggish demand and ever-rising costs has prompted the American company's management, which is based in Wilmington, Delaware, to outsource production to a supplier in China. 

Decommissioning of the factory and grounds, which cover 36 acres, will take place between now and September. 

The nearby Novartis Ings factory closed a few years ago.

The Solenis factory sits adjacent to a recently created mitigation habitat for wetland birds 

Where are all the springtime flowers? Colourless state of Riverhead revamp such a poor advert for Grimsby

                                                 

Where are all the spring flowers?  The only 'pop of colour' on a bright  morning is provided by a discarded drink can

BACK in January last year, North East Lincolnshire Council pledged to  plant 11,000 flowers, trees and shrubs in Riverhead Gardens.

Yes, 11,000! 

There would be trees and shrubs with blossom and berries, swathes of grasses pluswildflowers with "pops of colour and scent".

At least, that's what the  spokesperson said.

Some 15 months later - with £2.3-million spent - and what do we have? Barely a couple of hundred feeble-looking specimens, some seemingly with barely enough strength to die.

Other town centres are now rich in colour. So, notably, are the gardens in front of Grimsby Institute.

But at Riverhead Square - designated the beating heart of Grimsby's regeneration - there is scarcely a bloom to be be seen.   

What a disappointment!

Come on NELC - judging by the great displays that are an all-year feature of Cleethorpes seafront, you can do better than this.

Surely?

                           

Compare and contrast! The  grass,  flowers and shrubs outside Grimsby Institute put Riverhead Square to shame

Cleethorpes' best-known unofficial tourist attraction set to tumble following high tides and gusting winds

 

What does  the Buck Beck Bench on Cleethorpes beach have in common with that famous tower in Pisa? They are both leaning - and the former looks set to take a tumble. Weekend high tides have eroded the sand bank into which its 'spire' has been installed, and north-westerly winds have scattered much of its framework to spots further south on the beach. Will it survive to the end of this week? Only time will tell. 

Team from Immingham's Oasis Academy triumphs in bumper Grimsby football tournament

                                                         

A great time was had by all! Some 80 lads took part in a bumper football tournament in Grimsby. There were 12 teams from  the YMCA, Grimsby Town Foundation, The Trin, Fusion, West Marsh Community Centre and  Centre 4, but it was Immingham Oasis Academy 3 who emerged as champions. Picture: NELC

Who will be the first arrivals? New Cleethorpes motorhomes site set to open next week

The site earmarked for motorhomes parking. On the other side of the road is the Premier Inn

A DEDICATED  motorhomes site will open in  Cleethorpes  on Monday.

The initiative on the main foreshore car park is the brainchild of North East Lincolnshire.

It is going ahead despite  protests that the chunkily-proportioned vehicles will blight the land adjacent to the attractively-maintained station of  Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway and the designated dunes nature reserve.    

There are 10 spaces which are  being offered for one- or two-night parking, costing £12 per 24 hours, with a maximum stay of 48 hours. 

Currently, overnight parking of motorhomes is prohibited in all North East Lincolnshire Council car parks, though there is also a site at the north end of the promenade opposite the rock armour whale's tail.

Fees can only be paid on arrival by downloading a paybyphone app. 

The ticket machines on the rest of the car park  are not available to pay for motorhome parking.

The site also has an Elsan disposal point for access to water and emptying chemical WCs

Penalty charge notices will be issued to occupants of any vehicle caught parking overnight on grassland outside a designated  bay.

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the visitor economy, Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "These sorts sites are popular all over Europe and in tourist towns across the UK.

"We hope this one will attract more visitors to Cleethorpes."

The Grimsby News says: Plaudits to NELC for this attempt, albeit modest, to generate revenue for its coffers from seaside visitors. But this project has its risks. As word spreads, more and more motorhomes will turn up. If the site is full, their occupants' inclination will be to take the risk of a fine and park either on the grass verge or in other parts of the car park. What is more, the development will increase traffic, potentially putting the unwary - children as well as adults - at risk. It surely would have been far preferable if the council could have established a properly-serviced standalone site elsewhere rather than a cramped corner of an existing car park.

Only £12 per night - is the council undercharging?

                                                        

A downside of the project is that it will obstruct the view to the attractively maintained light  railway station

Early bird! Even before Monday's official opening, one motorhome had pitched up on site  

Learn all about it! Grimsby employment exhibition cast spotlight on career opportunities for females

                                                         

Some 43 companies took space at the recent Women in Manufacturing and Engineering exhibition at Grimsby's Humber Royal  Hotel. It was an opportunity for females of primary school age up to university students to discover what career openings beckon  across manufacturing, engineering, digital, construction and renewables in North East Lincolnshire.  At present, women make up only nine per cent of the workforce in these sectors, but events such as these seek to increase this proportion in the years to come. Pictured above and below are some of those who attended. 

All they need is ‘nurturing’ - Grimsby conference explores how to bring out best in youngsters

 

The spotlight fell on the mental health of 5-16-year-olds at a day-long conference in Grimsby. It was held earlier this week in the town hall and was attended by individuals across the spectrum of education and children’s welfare. In her keynote address, Jennifer Steel, Service Director for Education, Inclusion, and Integration at North East Lincolnshire Council, declared: "We have the opportunity to create  nurturing environments. Each child is unique, with their own experiences, challenges, and strengths. Our role is to listen, understand, and provide any support they need."

* Photo: Courtesy of NELC

Blame it on the weather! Council says overnight rain caused leak leading to closure of Grimsby Library

                                                    

 Overnight rainfall has been blamed for the leak at Grimsby Library

                                            

THE future looks increasingly uncertain for Grimsby Central Library.

After it closed at 5.30pm today, little assurance has been given about when it will reopen - if at all.

The building is owned by North East Lincolnshire Council and the service is run by Lincs Inspire.

The two organisations claim that there has been "a water leak following a period of overnight rainfall".

In a joint statement, they say: "A leak was identified, and there is a requirement for urgent works.

"The service is  set to be relocated as soon as possible.

"We are working to inform library users and those customers with local tax and benefit support appointments of alternative service provision. 

"Lincs Inspire is also working with the Credit Union to ensure its continued service."

In the meantime, library users are asked to use the following services:

* Cleethorpes Library on Alexandra Road, open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday;

* Immingham Library at the Civic Centre on Pelham Road, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday;

* Waltham Library on the High Street, open 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday.

There is also the online service available via www.lincsinspire.com

Those with books to return are being asked to return them to an alternative branch until a suitable drop off arrangement in Grimsby is confirmed.

The extent of the leak has not been revealed, nor if any of the books or other stock have been damaged.

The Grimsby News says: It is no secret that North East Lincolnshire Council wants to get shot of its library in Grimsby - and probably the one in Cleethorpes, too. Has this leak provided itself with an excuse for permanent closure? Here's hoping this is not the case, but the press release gives scant assurance that that repairs will be carried out as a matter of urgency. Instead, it says the service will be "relocated" as soon as possible.  Out of courtesy to users and staff, NELC needs to be less vague both about its current plan of action (if any) and its medium-term intentions.  

Planners' green light for creation of new 450-plot cemetery on grass field near Toll Bar Academy

 

The grass field earmarked for a new cemetery

A NEW 450-plot cemetery is in prospect for a grass field near Toll Bar Academy,

North East Lincolnshire Council has this week given the thumbs-up for the development on a field adjacent to allotments off Station Road.

As well as creating burial plots, the project also includes:

* Widening of the existing access 

*  Creation of a car park with 22 standard parking spaces and two disabled parking spaces

* Vehicular gates and pedestrian gates for visitors

* Formation of an access road, turning circle and turning head for a hearse 

* Installation of external benches and memorial areas 

* Hedge and tree planting (denoted on the landscaping plan)

In advance of submitting its planning application, the parish council commissioned a geophysical survey to establish if the field might be of archaeological interest.

However, this concluded that excavations would be unlikely to find much, if anything, of historical interest.

The application did not go before NELC's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by senior case officer Bethany Loring.

Her report states:  "There will be increased activity at the site and  the level of noise to neighbours could potentially increase during this stage. 

"However, works  would be relatively minor and subject to a working hours condition and this should not be  adverse. 

"When the use has been implemented it would not produce significant disturbance due  to its sensitivity. 

"The immediate residential neighbours are positioned at a significant distance  away from the area of development."

It continues: "The site benefits from an existing access point, which will serve the site as well as the  existing allotments to the west. 

"This would be retained but would be widened to 5.5 metres.

 A total of 24 parking spaces, two for disabled, will be provided to the front. This  will be bound by footpaths for pedestrian access to include gates. 

"Within the site, there will be  internal roads and turning heads, specifically for manoeuvring of hearses. 

"In order to soften the impact, existing hedging will be retained  to the boundaries with new hedging and trees also proposed which would ensure better  assimilation with the open area. 

"This will also be akin to the existing allotments positioned to  the west."

At one point, there was a suggestion that, for the benefit of pedestrians, a zebra crossing or something similar would be provided, but highways officers have deemed this inappropriate. 

It is not yet known when work will start on the project.

The proposed lay out of the cemetery - the blue circles indicate where trees will be planted 

An example of the sort of bench that is being considered

The cemetery could have a 'stairway to Heaven' postbox

A children's memorial is also proposed

Developer Cyden Homes submits appeal after council blocks its bid to build 249 new homes in New Waltham

 Members of the planning committee debate the Cyden Homes application at the meeting last October

DEVELOPER Cyden Homes has, as expected, lodged an appeal against North East Lincolnshire Council's refusal to allow 249 homes to be built on land off the A16 Louth Road in New Waltham.

It was back in October last that the authority's planning committee voted 6-5 against the  project going ahead (as reported in this blog on October 30 and November 12).

Unusually, councillors made their decision against the recommendation of officers who had recommended approval.

It subsequently announced the decision thus: "The development by reason of the number of dwellings proposed would result in  adverse levels of traffic which would cause a severe adverse impact on the road  network through the resultant congestion to the detriment of highway amenity  and to the detriment of local amenity and health through the resultant air  pollution."

The appeal will now be determined by an independent inspector from the Planning Inspectorate.

He or she will probably host an 'informal'  round-table discussion where the issues will be thrashed out by representatives of Cyden Homes and objectors with senior planning officer Richard Limmer  looking on.

Thereafter, there will probably be a site visit - the timing of which could be critical to the outcome of the hearing.

If it is rush hour the  traffic could indeed be slow moving. If it is at another time of day, traffic will be flowing freely.

All parties will be aware that all local authorities are under immense pressure from the Government to increase the rate of housebuilding.  

One of life's little mysteries - why does council soak Pier Gardens with wildflower-killing chemical?

 

Cleethorpes Country Park - a place where wildlife can flourish 

CLEETHORPES Country Park is currently vibrant with spring flowers and bird song. 

By contrast, Pier Gardens is so soaked in glyphosate spray that, at ground level, it is ecologically almost useless. 

Why cannot  North East Lincolnshire Council give nature a chance at the latter just as at the former? 

Does anyone know? 

Pier Gardens - an almost sterile habitat with no place for primroses to flower and no fallen leaves where songbirds can forage for food 

Top of the class! Work gathering momentum on major expansion of primary school in New Waltham

 

All smiles at New Waltham Academy where work is well underway on a £2.3-million expansion scheme which will see construction of additional  classrooms and a new nursery. Pictured on site are: Back  row, from left, Jason Clark, Director, Topcon; Steve Jackson, Building Surveyor, Equans; Simon Dixon, Contract Administrator, Equans; Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of NELC and Richard Griffin, Site Manager, Topcon. Front  row, from left, Louise Clarke, Co-headteacher, New Waltham Academy; Jayne Perry, Co-headteacher, new Waltham Academy and Cllr Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, NELC.