December 17, 2019 1.15 pm This story is over 54 months old

£3.5m improvements to Grimsby Town Centre approved

Councillors were “deeply excited” about the plans
Current footbridge over the River Freshney in Grimsby with Alexandra Dock on the right. Picture: David Wright.

North East Lincolnshire Council leaders are hoping £3.5 million plans to regenerate Grimsby Town Centre will help “stamp out” anti-social behaviour and crime fears in the area.

Councillor Philip Jackson said the proposals to improve the public realm at Garth Lane and Frederick Ward Way will also show the first “tangible evidence” of the Grimsby Town Deal delivering something on the ground.

The designs include a new bridge over the River Freshney, improvements to the street scene and highway, as well as better access to the waterfront.

During the meeting of cabinet last night, Councillor John Fenty, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, said he was “deeply excited” about the plans.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “We are reviewing other areas within Top Town to make it safer, stronger and more appealing for people to come back to the area.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet pressed forward with the plans. Photo: Daniel Jaines

It was hoped the plans would help tackle anti-social behaviour problems.

“Rightly or wrongly there’s a perception that there’s a lot of antisocial behaviour in Grimsby Town Centre and that undoubtedly puts some people off from coming in,” said Councillor Jackson.

“We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can, working with our partners to tackle that.

“There’s all sorts of things going on there which we need to make sure we clamp down on because we want to get away from this anything goes sort of culture which has developed in some parts of the town in recent years.

“We are keen to make the town centre somewhere people feel much safer and happier to be.”

Councillors also approved plans to regenerate Sea Road in Cleethorpes, including transforming the former Waves nightclub into a new building, which will house commercial space as well as visitor facilities, modern toilets and changing facilities, beach safety and tourist information services.

Designs as outlined by North East Lincolnshire Council for Garth Lane and Frederick Ward Way in Grimsby.

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