2024 saw the reopening of Riverhead Square in Grimsby, after a £3.3m transformation to make it a greener and more flexible area to host events.
What significant developments are expected in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and North East Lincolnshire in the New Year? We’ve picked out some of the most visible changes on the horizon in the area.
2024 may come to be known as the year of roadworks for many Grimbarians. There were a considerable amount taking place, from Bargate junction improvements, to A180 bridges, and Corporation Road Bridge.
2025 could become known as the year of regeneration, or endless construction works, in the borough. There are a significant number of developments to expect either completion or the start of works on.
Freshney Place
Full council’s narrow approval in December of the final designs and costings for the now near-£50m Freshney Place Leisure Scheme means this scheme will physically progress in 2025. Work is expected on site early in the New Year as the western end is demolished and redeveloped.
A five-screen cinema, food hall and a new market in the former BHS store are planned. Its completion, however, has been pushed back to 2027.
Staying with the council-owned shopping centre, the NHS’s new Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) is being created within Freshney Place. Its opening is now expected in early 2025. 150,000 additional diagnostic appointments a year will be available to patients at the CDC.
Artist’s impression of completed Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby
(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
Horizon Youth Zone
Garth Lane footbridge users cannot have failed to notice the progression of the Horizon OnSide Youth Zone, being built at West Haven Maltings. It will offer North East Lincolnshire’s youths, aged eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs, the opportunity to participate in more than 20 engaging activities every evening. All for a membership fee of £5, or 50p a session.
The Youth Zone has had a £13.5m price tag and been backed by an array of organisations, including the council and government. It is expected to be completed next year, though its opening has been pushed back to autumn 2025.
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Abbey Walk Car Park and transport hub
A big change to Grimsby’s skyline in 2025 will be Abbey Walk Car Park’s demolition. Shut since spring due to safety issues, the council has agreed to its demolition next year. A ground floor car park is expected to replace it subsequently.
Being demolished at the same time will be mostly vacant units the council owns in Osborne Street. This is to create space for a new bus station, or transport hub, where that road meets Garden Street.
Only the demolition is expected in the New Year. Garden Street Car Park will be shut during this, with Burgess Street Car Park renovated beforehand to accommodate more vehicles.
Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes, in the summer – its rejuvenation is one of three Levelling Up Fund-backed scheme in Cleethorpes
(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Cleethorpes Levelling Up projects
Developments are expected on all three Cleethorpes Levelling Up Fund-backed regeneration projects. The £18.4m government cash is going towards a new tourist destination Sea Road building (£7.2m), Pier Gardens rejuvenation (£8.6m), and the transformation of Market Place (£4.6m) to make it more pedestrian friendly.
The Market Place scheme particularly has opposition to it. A number of local businesses believe the proposed layout, especially road and parking changes, will be damaging.
None of the schemes will be done and dusted by the summer. Sea Road building’s last estimated completion date was for late 2025.
Work is expected to start in Pier Gardens and Market Place next year, but not to be completed until 2026, with spring the last estimated time. But that was based on January start dates. Given final designs are being worked on for both and at least a contractor will need to be procured, Pier Gardens and Market Place can reasonably be expected to not see construction works in the first months of 2025.
Corporation Road Bridge on a clear blue sky day in December 2024
(Image: LDR)
Corporation Bridge and A180
The Grade II-listed bridge’s closure will continue into the New Year. In August, the council at last indicated a reopening date, with summer 2025 tentatively put as “likely”. Publication of the scheme’s full costs can be expected to follow – its original budgeted cost was £4.9m.
The council-instigated A180 bridge repair works are also far from over. These works involve repairs to the Gilbey Road flyover, Cleethorpe Road flyover, and Alexandra Dock Bridge. The third bridge works will only be started on once Corporation Bridge is reopened, as it is acting as an alternative route.
A year of change
Those are the most significant projects to look out for in North East Lincolnshire next year. But there are plenty more, including:
Limited to only the briefest of mentions of these illustrates well how 2025 will be a year of huge change for the borough.
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