March 12, 2021 10.53 am This story is over 16 months old

New paving and fish benches in Grimsby’s central revamp

The project is starting to take shape
The concrete tiered seating/steps to the riverside will be clad with granite. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council

A £3.5 million transformation of the Garth Lane area of Grimsby has reached a new milestone, with new paving and street furniture celebrating the town’s heritage.

The project started before Christmas and will see a brand new 35 metre long footbridge placed over the River Freshney.

It is currently in Scunthorpe under construction, awaiting its arrival in Grimsby for an estimated completion date of the end of April.

Fabrication work on the bridge started in Sherburn-in-Elmet and will be moved to Scunthorpe and then Grimsby. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council

By this date, the bridge will be fully fitted and the main long-term pedestrian diversion will be removed.

The one-lane pathway closure along Frederick Ward Way will be removed later in March, once all work for the new bridge has been finished.

Accompanying the bridge is new decorative paving leading from the Fishermen’s Wharf side, which will feature turbine blades to reflect the offshore wind sector in Grimsby, inset with three different images within them.

The concrete abutment work for the new bridge can be clearly seen on either side of the river. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council

The three images on the paving will be the town’s traditional seal depicting the legend of Grim and Havelok, The Esther (Grimsby’s last wooden fishing smack) and a viking shield with European eels on it.

The new fish benches, carved from the wood of an old willow tree, will celebrate Grimsby’s heritage. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council

As well as the paving, new carved fish benches will be installed, plus concrete tiered seating and numerous trees will be planted to make the area even more scenic.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “We could not be more pleased with how this is looking so far and with the other major improvements we are currently planning for the town centre, Grimsby is going to look very different in the months and years ahead. A true regeneration in our town’s heart.”