Labour Group calls for NELC cabinet member to step down in wake of Corporation Road bridge fiasco

                                               

A job only half done? How many more months before the ill-fated bridge reopens?

A CALL has come for a senior North East Lincolnshire Council cabinet member to resign over the ill-fated  Corporation Road Bridge repair project.

The leader of the authority's Labour Group, Cllr Emma Clough, said today: "This project has been appallingly managed by the Conservative leadership from the very start. 

"The bridge is an important route through Grimsby, and people will have to wait even longer before it reopens. 

"Residents, local businesses, and drivers have faced more than two years of delays and disruption - with no clear end in sight. 

"What is more, the project has become a major financial risk for the council, with even more taxpayers' money needed to get the bridge reopened. 

"The position of the cabinet's portfolio holder for highways, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, is no longer tenable

"He must resign. 

"The administration must also apologise to the people of North East Lincolnshire for these unacceptable delays."

The repair project was originally projected to  take 10 months. 

Some 26 months later - with more than an estimated £7-million spent - and it still has not been completed.

In the meantime, Hull-based bridge repairs contractors Spencer Group which has just been sacked by North East Lincolnshire Council for "unacceptable delays" in completing the project says it is "disappointed and baffled" by the decision.

It thought it had an "excellent" relationship with the council.

The parting of the ways might diminish the company's reputation in the short term but it may  not be too damaging for its finances.

Spencer is not short of work, and, earlier this month, announced that it had been  awarded repair and renovation contracts for three bridges in Scotland.   

* See also previous report.

                                       

Cllr Swinburn - NELC cabinet member is under fire

You're fired! NELC axes Corporation Road bridge firm over "unacceptable delays" in repair project

                                                          

Troubled bridge over water - the council has lost confidence in the contractor 

THE Hull-based firm commissioned to repair Grimsby's historic Corporation Road bridge has been sacked.

North East Lincolnshire Council today confirmed that it had taken "direct action" in the wake of the slow progress on carrying out the project.

In a statement, it said: "The authority  today announces that it is seeking a new contractor to finish the final stages of the refurbishment, which includes the lifting mechanism

"The contract with Spencer Group has been terminated."

The firm began work on the scheme in February, 2023, since when there have been significant delays with a number of issues cited. 

The council says that, in order to ensure the bridge is open in the quickest and most efficient way possible, it is time to go out to the market again for the remainder of the work.

 Portfolio Holder for Highways Cllr Stewart Swinburn who has been overseeing the works says: "This project was started two years ago, and while we accept that the level of rust and deterioration was not anticipated, and led initially to more surveys being required, we are now in a position where we believe the extent of the delays are unacceptable. 

"We have, therefore, decided to seek a new contractor."

He added: "We are now absolutely determined to move forward and bring a new specialist engineering firm on board to work with us on completing the lifting span

"This will bring to a conclusion the works to this important  historical structure."

Spencer Group has not yet made public comment on the council's decision.

It is not known how long it will take for NELC to appoint a new contractor, nor how long the further delay is likely to delay re-opening of the bridge.               

                                          

The bridge as it was in yesteryear - when it was in full working order

                           

All eyes will be on paintings by former professional footballer at Louth auction this week

                                               

Serene study of sailing boats (above and below) likely to be in demand at Louth auction  

NOT many former professional footballers go on to make a career for themselves as artists, but one who has done is John Trickett.

Trickett (71) now lives in Nottingham but he grew up in Cleethorpes and was educated at Grimsby's Winteringham Grammar School.

As far as is know, he did not play for the Mariners but was on the books of Torquay United.

After hanging up his boots, he became a self-taught artist, specialising in wildlife and hunting dogs.

His paintings command high prices so there is likely to be plenty of interest when four of them go under the hammer at a sale to be conducted by John Taylors of Louth on Tuesday of this week.                                               

Where is everyone? Quiet start to first Farmers and Craft Market in Grimsby's new-look Riverhead Square

 

Trading was probably slower than hoped for at today's Grimsby Farmers and Craft Market - believed to be the first event in Riverhead Square since its costly revamp. It probably needs more stallholders and better weather - and perhaps some musical accompaniment - if it is to draw in the shoppers and flourish in the months ahead. 

                                                                  

Lively opening day for Grimsby's Top Town indoor market at its temporary shopping mall home

Installing Grimsby's Top Town market within an unoccupied retail outlet in Freshney Place seems to have been a masterstroke by North East Lincolnshire Council. At its temporary new home, it seemed far busier than it had been at its previous site. Pictured above and below are traders and customers at some of the stalls.  

                           

Congratulations and good luck to Janet Goodwin - the newly-elected mayor of North East Lincolnshire

                                          

The new mayor has lived in Grimsby all her life 

CONGRATULATIONS to Janet Goodwin who has been elected mayor of North East Lincolnshire for the forthcoming year.

In this ceremonial role, she can look forward to  visiting all corners of the borough, meeting representatives of charities, community organisations and businesses as well as representing the Council at official functions.

Cllr Goodwin has lived in Grimsby all her life, growing up in Scartho with her two brothers and sister.

Her father worked as a fisherman, while her mother had  a part-time job at frozen food company Birds Eye. 

She is married to Barry and has two daughters, Lindsey and Victoria, along with four grandchildren.

Her career has spanned various roles, beginning with packing fish at Chaldur’s Frozen Food Company, followed by working as a barmaid while raising her children. 

Later, she joined Greggs, before moving on to work with the BFAWU (Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union), where she focused on engaging workers in educational opportunities. 

After 15 years in this role, she returned to Greggs until retirement, now focusing more on community work within the borough's South ward which she represents.

Cllr Goodwin enjoys socialising, travelling and spending time with her grandchildren. 

She is committed to supporting communities across North East Lincolnshire, ensuring that those who may struggle to access help know that support is available

She was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 55, an experience that she says has given her greater confidence in the journey she has taken.

Following her election, Cllr Goodwin thanked her 41 fellow-councillors.

"This is a really proud moment for me," she declared. "I am looking forward to the year ahead.

Cllr Marian Boyd, one of the borough's Park ward representatives,  has been elected Deputy Mayor.

During the year ahead, Cllr Goodwin's chosen  charities will be Women’s Aid and Not Home Alone.

                                       

Cllr Goodwin, NELC chief executive Rob Walsh and Cllr Boyd following this week's mayor-making ceremony in Grimsby Town Hall 

Charity issues plea to public after deer that wandered on to Cleethorpes Beach died after being chased

Deer regularly venture on to the beach which can prove dangerous habitat

A PLEA not to chase any deer that venture on to the beach has been sounded  by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.

It says: "Unless a deer is collapsed, or stuck, the best course of action is to leave  undisturbed and unpanicked."

The appeal follows an incident earlier this week when one died, apparently from exhaustion  or stress having been chased by beach-goers.

Continues the charity: " Unfortunately, even though each safety teams did a great job monitoring the deer and asking people to stay back, some members of the public continued to  chase them.

"It is unclear whether this was an attempt to capture the deer or to encourage them back inland, but sadly, it caused unnecessary stress -leading to panic and exhaustion.

"Deer are extremely sensitive animals and can suffer from post-capture myopathy - a condition triggered by extreme stress that can be fatal.

"Later in the evening, one exhausted deer was recovered and received emergency care at East Lincs Emergency Vets. 

"Despite everyone's best efforts, the animal passed away."

Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue says that, even for experienced  rescue teams, capturing multiple healthy deer across miles of open beach is neither safe nor realistic.

Attempting to do so often puts the deer at greater risk and can cause more harm than good. 

It insists: "The best approach is to allow the deer to return on their own - calmly and in their own time - which they regularly do without issue."