Barton’s passenger interchange will be given a dramatic makeover as part of the recently announced Levelling-Up cash for the town. The town is set to receive almost £20m from the Government’s latest round of Levelling-Up funding – cash which will build a new bypass, see almost nine miles of new cycle routes built and transform the train station. The development at the train station will include state-of-the-art cycle parking – including a charging point for e-bikes, an extension and renovation to the car park creating around 100 spaces, EV charging points, new paving, bus shelter improvement and displays with real-time passenger information. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This money will make a huge difference here in Barton but the impact is across the whole of North Lincolnshire too. “The Government has backed our plans for creating a new future here, one which enables businesses to create high-paid, sustainable jobs – projects like this are critical in levelling-up in our towns and villages, creating the conditions for our communities to flourish.” As well as the bypass and major transformation of the train station, a network of nine miles of new cycling routes will be created and three miles of paths updated. The cycleways and footpaths will connect homes, schools, shopping areas, the railway and bus station and jobs. The move is designed to encourage more active lifestyles, reduce carbon emissions, and make travelling around the town easier and safer. It comes just as the council begins to implement a 20mph zone in a range of streets across the town. Cllr Neil Poole, cabinet member for highways, said: “This Government cash represents the latest significant investment in the transport network here in North Lincolnshire. “We’ve had a new motorway junction, built miles of new cycle routes and connected communities with walking routes across the whole area. This major project in Barton will change the way people travel about the town.” This latest cash is just part of the more than £80m of Government funding which has backed the council plans for creating a new future in North Lincolnshire. This includes cash for roads, new motorway junctions, enabling people to develop their skills and supporting communities. Cash from the Towns Fund, Future High Streets, Levelling-Up, UK Shared Prosperity and through other Government departments comes alongside £75m for a new port development, £5m for the A15 enhancements, investment in the new university campus, tens of millions for education and the £200m plus paid to support jobs throughout the pandemic. Photo: Cllr Rob Waltham, Cllr Paul Vickers, Cllr Christine Patterson, Cllr Keith Vickers, Martin Vickers MP at Barton transport interchange

Work has started on the major restoration of Corporation Road Bridge today, Monday 6 February. Multi-disciplinary bridge works specialist Spencer Group is now on site in Grimsby as the scheme gets underway. The full restoration will include key structural works, as well as improvements to the aesthetic changes to the bridge – protecting the landmark for many years to come and preserving its heritage status. Some of the key works will include:

• Replacement of all corroded rivets
• Replacing steel deck plates
• Steelwork repairs
• Replace deteriorating carriageway panels
• Replace bridge bearings
• Remove failing paint system from entire structure and repaint
• Replace electrical system for the lifting mechanism
• Restore the Control Room
• Replacement of bridge joints
• Resurfacing carriageway and footpath

As part of its Grade 2 listed heritage status, it is important the bridge remains functioning and the mechanics are in full operation to ensure North East Lincolnshire Council is satisfying the statutory obligations. The bridge is on the ‘at risk’ register for listed structures due to its deteriorating condition. The bridge is a strategic part of the highways network to keep traffic flowing and allow pedestrian and maritime access. A full road closure will be in place for the duration of the works, with a planned reopening before Christmas 2023. While the works take place, the bridge will be closed to all vehicles. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians, except during short periods when the bridge will need to be fully closed to allow the contractor to test the lifting mechanisms. Cyclists will need to dismount from their bikes and walk across the bridge. Clear signage will be placed at several points, including at Lockhill roundabout, Westgate roundabout, Victoria Street South and at the Corporation Road/Pyewipe Road junction. A diversion route is in place while the bridge is closed to traffic. Motorists wishing to cross to the west side of the bridge (Sainsbury’s side) will be directed from Westgate roundabout, along Pyewipe Road and onto Corporation Road. Larger vehicles will be asked to straddle both lanes at the traffic signals. Those heading to the east side of the bridge will be directed to Lockhill roundabout. Motorists, including HGV traffic, are strongly encouraged to follow the official signed diversion route to minimise disruption around the network. Other traffic management information will follow. Traffic volumes on Alexandra Road will be monitored throughout the project and if necessary, traffic management will be considered. Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “Corporation Road Bridge is a key landmark in Grimsby Town Centre and the Heritage Action Zone. These restoration works are going to safeguard this iconic landmark for many years to come and be a key contributor to the ongoing regeneration works in this area.” Joe DiMauro, project manager for bridges at Spencer Group, added: “We’re delighted to work on a structure in the Humber region which is close to our headquarters in Hull. It means we’ll be able to utilise our local supply chain while drawing on our expertise in this sector. “Corporation Bridge is well known to Spencer Group employees and we’ll be able to involve some of our apprentices based in the Humber region, who also played a part in the tendering process. It will be a great experience for them to work with our established bridge restoration teams, helping to develop their knowledge and skills in this highly specialised area.” Spencer Group has carried out maintenance and repair works on some of the UK’s most iconic bridges, including the Humber Bridge, Forth, Erskine, Severn and Menai bridges. The company is currently carrying out refurbishment works on the world’s oldest suspension bridge still carrying traffic, the Union Chain Bridge, while, at the same time, also working on the Menai Suspension Bridge, the world’s second oldest operational vehicular suspension bridge. The Corporation Bridge restoration is a £5.117m scheme – funded by £2.967m from the Department for Transport, £1.83m set aside by the council and a further £320,000 from the Local Transport Fund. The Department for Transport funding is specifically ringfenced for these works.

“Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is extremely important to agricultural workers; the helicopter a welcome sight as it appears like a yellow knight in shining armour flying across the fields to help a farmer in distress. This is why I am leaving them a gift in my Will.” Lincoln-born Malcolm Haywood comes from a farming family, and over the years he can recall many instances of farmworkers being injured in agricultural accidents and needing the support of LNAA. He says: “One time, a farmer friend got caught in a potato machine. But the Air Ambulance got there just in time, treated him at the farm and transported him to hospital. It could have been such a different outcome had they not been there.” Malcolm worked as an aerial crop sprayer operating across the Boston fenlands. His knowledge of the industry spurred him to write a book, entitled ‘Under the Wire’, it is dedicated to the crop spraying operators of yesteryear. Profits from sales have raised over £2,000 for LNAA. Malcolm says: “Me and my wife want to know our money will make a difference to someone. LNAA is vital to our rural communities, and the work it does means a lot to us because we have been involved in aviation and farming all our lives. What better cause to leave a legacy to, than to something so worthwhile that is on your doorstep.” Nearly a third of LNAA work is funded by people who have left a gift in their Will and in the last year alone, donations of this kind have paid for over 400 life-saving missions. By remembering Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance in your Will, you will be helping to ensure that they can be there for critically ill and injured people when they are needed most.

The planning application for a new market hall, a cinema and other leisure facilities at the Western end of Freshney Place in Grimsby has been approved in today’s Planning Committee. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is good news, and we can now press on with our major plans to improve the town centre, to make them more attractive for people to live and work in. “We have been working in the background with professional advisers to look at the stores within both Freshney Place and the market that are likely to be affected, and have been having discussions with them individually about potential relocation within the centre while the works are ongoing. “We are also looking at how we can use any empty space within Freshney Place in different ways – potentially bringing more of a community focus to the centre to help balance out the changes to retail habits.” The leisure development will house a new cinema, with local and regional operator Parkway Entertainment Group coming in as an anchor tenant and pledging to provide a great venue to complement its offer in Cleethorpes. The plans also feature a remodelled entrance to the centre, which will be lined with units for leisure and eateries, and an entrance to a new and transformed Market Hall. Work to deliver the scheme is likely to begin in the summer, initially stripping out vacant units before demolishing the former BHS building in early 2024 to make way for the new market hall. The market will continue to operate from its current base until the new market has been built.