With no end in sight for Corporation Road Bridge fiasco, councillors have a difficult decision to make

                                               

Troubled bridge over still water - still unclear when it might reopen 

A TRICKY choice about Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge  beckons for North East Lincolnshire councillors at a meeting next week.

When  repairs resume, possibly on November 3, should the contractors, Taziker Industrial Ltd, aim to get the job done as quickly as possible  or should there be partial re-opening which would delay completion by up to seven months?

A report to a scrutiny panel meeting on Wednesday of next week states:

"Taziker’s tender submission has proposed two options for completing the project.

"Option 1: This is based on the bridge remaining closed until all aspects of the refurbishment are completed.

"Option 2: This enables the bridge to open to traffic earlier by reducing usage to one lane with temporary traffic lights but it would delay completion of the entire scheme by an estimated four to seven months."

However, still undisclosed are potential target dates for completion - and the likely bill.

The report continues: "Relationships with landowners and other stakeholders will be tested if the bridge is not returned to full working order. 

"The council is in receipt of grant funding in relation to some elements of repair which could be at risk if the programme is not finished to original parameters.

"Public confidence in the council and its partners to deliver large scale infrastructure projects will be challenged if the project is not completed.

"Non-completion of the lifting element of the bridge will also mean access by water to Alexandra Dock will not be possible for larger vessels, and this may limit future regeneration plans or access to the port should this be required."

When repair work started in summer 2022 , the budget was put at £5.1-million with likely completion by August 2023. 

But the bill for repairing Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge has already reached in excess of £7-million by mid-summer.

Now it has emerged that the final cost could end up being closer to £12-million.

This is what NELC calls its spending 'cap' on the troubled project, though it is unclear what would happen if this projection were to be breached.