Plans for Toll Bar Roundabout halted “immediately” by new leaders of North East Lincolnshire

An immediate halt has been put on plans for the Toll Bar roundabout, the new leaders of North East Lincolnshire Council have confirmed this morning.

New Conservative leader of the council Philip Jackson, said he and his deputy John Fenty had already met with the authority’s Chief Executive Rob Walsh today (Friday) – shortly after they took control from the Labour Party for the first time since 1996.

He said: “We are in a position to confirm the contract for the removal of Toll Bar Roundabout and replacement with traffic lights has not been signed, therefore, we have agreed to put an immediate halt on that project while we look at other alternatives there might be.”

Philip Jackson, new North East Lincolnshire Conservative council leader

The £2.2 million plans to rip up Toll Bar roundabout near Grimsby and replace it with traffic lights have proved controversial in the past, with campaigners regularly turning up to meetings in a bid to prevent it.

More than 10,000 signatures have been handed in through a number of petitions to North East Lincolnshire Council, however, the previous administration said other options for the junction would not meet the authorities time-frame or budget.

Councillor Jackson said last night’s result was “absolutely fantastic” and put the result down to the party’s ‘clear manifesto’. He said his fellow members had been able to successfully separate the national debate over Brexit from local issues.

He admitted however, he expects the transition from Labour to Conservative leadership to be hard work – mostly due to different approaches to running the administration.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s labour cabinet overruled protestors and forged ahead with the plans when they were in charge.

Some of the party’s aims it appears however, will initially line-up with what the Labour Party had already been working on – things like the Town Deal and enforcement.

Councillor Jackson said he would also be looking at refuse collection, delivering basic services more effectively, and examining the area’s highway network – particularly the number of traffic lights.

He is set to lead the party with Councillor Fenty as his deputy, and he said he had been approaching members of his party that he would like to be on his cabinet – however, would not be drawn on particular names.

He said an announcement would be made following the party’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday night.

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