A VITAL bridge used by thousands of motorists is set to remain closed despite being shut down two years ago.
Commuters have dubbed the £7.3 million project “beyond a joke” as no completion date has been left in sight.
The Corporation Bridge is a Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge over the Old Dock[/caption]
It is a rolling lift bridge which crosses the River Freshney[/caption]
Corporation Bridge in Grimsby closed in February 2023 for repairs almost 100 years after it first opened.
The rolling lift bridge is a main route for drivers to reach Grimsby town centre by connecting Corporation Road and Victoria Street South.
Closure of the bridge over the past two years has left drivers with lengthened commutes, being stuck in traffic and delays.
Weelsby Tesco worker Laurence Gooch, 28, is one of those who has to now allow for an extra 15 minutes to get to work each day.
He has called for North East Lincolnshire Council to “get it sorted”.
Alec Price, 57, who lives near the bridge told the BBC: “It’s been a very long time” and “making the traffic heavier than it’s one of the main routes in town”.
The works were intended to fix its corroded steel parts and lifting mechanism.
But they stopped in May this year due to North East Lincolnshire Council dismissing the contractor.
They cited “unacceptable delays” with Spencer Group as the contractor, with hopes another firm could “ensure the bridge is open in the quickest and most efficient way possible”.
They suggested work would restart on the bridge in “late summer”.
Spencer said it was “baffled” by the decision at the time, due to unforeseen additional work it had deemed necessary to be done on the bridge.
A new contractor has since been found – experienced bridge restoration specialist Taziker.
Taziker have previously worked on landmarks such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Bristol, and the Iron Bridge of 1779, in Shropshire.
North East Lincolnshire Council said: “We understand the strength of feeling that people have about this project.
“We are committed to restoring the 100-year-old Corporation Road Bridge – a key part of our town’s history.”
The Council are now reported to be “in final stages of negotiations” for the timetable of the remaining works.
This was revealed in a council cabinet Facebook Live Q&A this week.
Other topics like transport issues, parking and potholes were also raised.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Conservative – Immingham Ward), who is the portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, said in response to an update request from a member of public: “It is a very complex situation as we all know.”
“We are now in the final stages of negotiations with Taziker over the cost and programme of works and we expect this to be in place by the end of October 2025.
Works on the bridge began back in February 2023 when it closed to commuters[/caption]
“Further to this termination of the former contractor, the council have instructed a number of independent experts to critically review the work undertaken to date. Early indications suggest that there are defects that require remediation.”
He apologised for the bridge closure’s impact on community, and added: “The council are committed to pursue the appropriate legal recourse in relation to the same, should it be necessary.”
Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative – Waltham) said: “We recognise that Corporation Road Bridge has been closed for far too long and we are doing all we can to ensure that it can be reopened as soon as possible in a fully restored state.”
There are hopes to instil regular maintenance programmes for the bridge in the future, after it had been “neglected for many years” without a proper one.
Cllr Jackson also claimed Cllr Swinburn and deputy council leader Cllr Stan Shreeve (Conservative – Humberston and New Waltham) meet on a regular weekly basis to review progress with Corporation Bridge.
Work on the bridge was initially allocated £5.1 million in budget.
This included £2.9m from the Department for Transport, £320,000 from the Local Transport Fund, and £1.8m council cash.
However, more extensive work found in late 2023 has increased this cost with at least £7.3 million confirmed by council documents.
New lighting, and the restoration of the lifting section to enable river traffic to pass once again under the bridge are included in the works.
Historic England suggest the bridge’s restoration is part of a larger regeneration project at Alexandra Dock.
Director of regions at public body, Lou Brennan, said: “This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas.”
Council are now reported to be “in final stages of negotiations” for the timetable of the remaining bridge works[/caption]
