New £3.6 million footbridge with direct access to Cleethorpes beach is now open
Replacing a level crossing which closed in 2019 for safety reasons
Around three years after the controversial closure of a level crossing in Cleethorpes, there is now direct beach access at Suggitt's Lane thanks to a new bridge. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council
A multi-million pound project to build a footbridge over the railway line and offer direct access to the beachfront has been completed and opened in Cleethorpes.
The bridge at Suggitt’s Lane cost £3.6 million, which was jointly funded by Network Rail, contributing £2 million, and the Department for Transport, which offered up the remaining £1.6 million.
It included ramps and stairs to provide a safe, accessible route over the railway line from Suggitt’s Lane to the promenade at the North East Lincolnshire coastal resort.
The bridge will be lit up at night and have CCTV cameras for safety in the area. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council
The plans for the bridge were approved by council leaders in March 2021 in the hope of solving an issue brought on by the controversial closure of public access to the level crossing on Suggitt’s Lane in April 2019.
Work then began to install the bridge in June 2021, with most of the structure being built off-site and then lifted into place in order to minimise noise impact for nearby residents.
The bridge has been equipped with lighting, 300 metres of accessible ramps and four CCTV cameras to improve safety in the area.
With a footbridge now in place, there is easier access beyond the level crossing and onto the beach, one of the star attractions in Cleethorpes.
Martin Vickers is the Conservative MP for Cleethorpes.
Martin Vickers, Member of Parliament for Cleethorpes, said: “The decision to close Suggitt’s Lane Level Crossing was highly controversial and has caused a lot of inconvenience for the local community. But we’re now able to move on.
“Thanks to the high-profile local campaign and the intervention of stakeholders including the Prime Minister, we now have this fantastic new facility that will provide all members of the local community safe access to the beach, the North Promenade and beyond.”
The £3.6m bridge was funded by the Department for Transport and Network Rail. | Photo: North East Lincolnshire Council
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, Councillor Stewart Swinburn, is delighted with the outcome of the project.
He said: “There is no doubt just looking at the new structure what a difference this will make especially to local people, who will now be able to enjoy safe and easy passage from their homes to the beach.
“This is a perfect example of partnership working at its best, which has delivered a great result and we want to thank everyone who has been involved.”
Lynn, Sayles, who is a leading member of the Suggitt’s Lane Campaign Group, has said the completion of this project allows people to “have their freedom back”, bringing to an end a “long journey that has been so very worthwhile.”
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Proposed outdoor dinning spaces in Sleaford’s market square will help to rejuvenate and reinvent the town centre, council officers have said.
They have recommended two restaurants’ outdoor seating areas are given permission to help boost trade within the town.
The Burger Lounge and The Solo Bar & Restaurant have requested permission to expand their seating into the town’s Market Place.
The space is currently used as an ad hoc car park, but there are hopes the dining areas will take greater advantage of the square.
The spaces will be located outside of the restaurants, each measuring 9m by 3m, and will ensure there is enough room for the market to continue.
North Kesteven District Council has pointed to the success of the nearby Sessions House’s outdoor space, saying it has helped to “revitalise this part of the Market Place”.
It says: “Outdoor seating at some cafés and the staging of the ‘Welcome Back Fund’ event post-pandemic has shown what can be achieved, and that this attractive space has far more to offer residents and visitors than simply car parking or the ‘legacy’ market, which has struggled to remain viable as shopping habits have changed.”
Both restaurants expect to take on another two part-time staff as a result, and will operate the areas 9am to 11pm subject a licence.
However, not everyone is happy about the application.
Burton & Co solicitors, which occupies the space between the restaurants, has complained that the application will restrict customers’ access and have a detrimental impact on their business.
However, council officers say it is unlikely to be affected, and the business will benefit from greater passing trade.
A report into the application concludes: “The proposals are considered to be an important element of rejuvenating and reinventing Sleaford’s town centre to allow multi-purpose visits to support its vitality and viability in a manner that will not only support expansion of the businesses directly affected but will more generally support trade within the town.”
The planning committee will decide on it at their next meeting on Tuesday, June 7.
The winners have been announced for the inaugural Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2022 organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, in partnership with the University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise.
Almost 300 people gathered at the Engine Shed in Lincoln on May 26 to celebrate business achievements and find out who won in the 11 categories.
The evening was hosted by Lincoln actor Colin McFarlane, with delicious food from city caterer Salted Orange.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The 2022 winners and finalists are
SME of the Year
— Sponsored by University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
ADHD 360 Limited – WINNER
Hanworth Country Park
Pallinc
TFM Countrystore
UK Alternative Energy
Family Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Wright Vigar
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Streets Heaver Healthcare Computing – WINNER
Daisy Made Farm
Fox (Owmby) Limited
R H Smith & Sons Wigmakers T/A Smiffys
RW Stokes Tea and Coffee
Exporter/International Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Duncan & Toplis
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
R H Smith & Sons Wigmakers T/A Smiffys – WINNER
Legless Limited
Liz Drury Voiceovers
Makan Bites
Specialist Heat Exchangers
Business Innovation/Innovator of the Year
— Sponsored by Productivity Programme
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Blossom and Best – WINNER
BeamOut Studios
Firmative Media
Live Like Loyalty
Seraph Technologies Limited
Agri-Food Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Stonebow Media
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Jones Food Company – WINNER
JRH Water Management
Seaweed Culture
Charitable Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Ringrose Law
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
MENTalk Lincs CIC – WINNER
Headway Lincolnshire
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
LIVES
Sophie’s Journey
Environmental / Sustainable Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Lincoln Minster School
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Seaweed Culture – WINNER
Evolve Flowers
JRH Water Management
Systematic Print Management
UK Alternative Energy
Rising Star of the Year
— Sponsored by University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Jonathan Brewer, Tradeglaze (Lincoln) – WINNER
Cheryl Ellron, Makan Bites
Hannah Lockwood-Geck, Fizzco
James Hopkins, DBS Digital
Tom Remington, The Strait and Narrow
Business Leader of the Year
— Sponsored by Lincoln Science & Innovation Park
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Phillip Anderton, ADHD 360
Julie Priestley, DBS Digital
Michael Jones, Hairdressing Supplies Lincoln
Sara Boland, Influence Landscape Planning and Design
Wendy Clarkson, Fizzco
Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Productivity Programme
Photo by Steve Smailes Photography www.stevesmailes.co.uk
Witham Group – WINNER
KryptoKloud
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
RW Stokes Tea and Coffee
The Strait and Narrow
Andrew Stevenson Award
Luke Smith – Seaweed Culture – WINNER
This award has been created to honour Andrew Stevenson’s legacy after he sadly passed away in December 2020. During his time as Founding Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Lincoln, Andrew developed and enabled an accessible infrastructure for Greater Lincolnshire Businesses, launching numerous platforms and initiatives. Hundreds of SMEs in the region have benefited from these programmes, raising innovation potential, and driving forward local economic growth.