Vital bridges connecting Grimsby and Immingham will be repaired
to boost the local key industries and tourism, prevent road
closures and secure future jobs for the region, Levelling Up
Secretary announced today (11 August
2022).
In the latest step to level up Grimsby, £8 million of funding has
been confirmed to help fix damaged bridges along the A180 – a
vital route that connects the region’s key ports, serves
residents and tourists and provides an estimated £2.5 billion to
the local economy’s Seafood Cluster each year.
The funding will prevent months of disruption and closures for
residents, as well as making sure local industries can continue
to grow and helping to create more skilled jobs in the area.
Grimsby was the pilot Town Deal area, and the government has
awarded over £4 5million through the Pilot and its flagship Towns
Fund and Future High Streets programmes to support plans to renew
and reshape the town centre. This includes plans to build 129 new
high quality, low carbon homes in the town.
Secretary of State for Levelling up said:
The work to level up vital towns like Grimsby requires acting on
what local people say is important and acting on what local
people want - including local infrastructure.
The funding we are announcing today will provide a vital lifeline
for Grimsby’s industry now and in the future and I am looking
forward to seeing how our investment is helping local communities
to flourish and further unlock the area’s potential.
DLUHC arm’s length body, Homes England, will assist North East
Lincolnshire council to develop plans to revitalise the town
centre, including for the 129 homes on Garth Lane.
Cllr Philip Jackson, the Leader of North East
Lincolnshire Council, said:
I am delighted that our collaboration with government on the
levelling up agenda is bearing fruit. The key infrastructure
investment announced today, as well as our work with Homes
England, focused on Garth Lane and wider town centre
regeneration, are essential elements of our drive to deliver
sustainable local economic growth for our residents, our
communities and our businesses. I look forward to our
collaboration with Government continuing.
Benj Sykes from energy firm Orsted UK, which operates in
the area, said:
The offshore wind industry in Grimsby relies on the skilled and
committed workers who have helped to create a world-leading hub.
As the industry grows, we need the government to continue to
develop the infrastructure the region needs to thrive, and I’m
delighted to see further investment in the region.
Further information
The A180 is the main arterial route into North East Lincolnshire,
providing access to the Port of Grimsby. Currently, the three
bridges – the Gilbey Road Flyover, the Alexandra Dock Bridge and
the Cleethorpes Road Flyover – require critical structural
repairs. Further deterioration could cause closure or weight
restrictions – severing Grimsby infrastructure and creating
knock-on effects on the local and national economy. £8 million is
being provided to fund these repairs, subject to final business
case.
DLUHC has a programme of work (deep dives) exploring
opportunities to work with local authorities and stakeholders in
places to unlock barriers to wider growth. This aims to improve
outcomes locally, but also better coordinate government
interventions in those places. Grimsby was selected for the deep
dive on this basis.
Places are selected for deep dives on a basis of need and low
outcomes against Levelling Up goals and Levelling Up potential
and viability.
