North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) has issued a significant update on the long-delayed Corporation Bridge restoration project.
It has now been more than two years and three months since the bridge was closed for what was originally planned as an 11-month restoration. Since then, the project has faced repeated setbacks and is believed to have gone over budget.
In a major development, NELC has announced it is terminating its arrangement with Spencer Group and will seek a new contractor to complete the refurbishment, stating that the “extent of the delays are unacceptable.”
Since work began in 2023, unforeseen damage to the bridge has been identified, resulting in a series of delays. The council now believes that appointing a new contractor is necessary to ensure the project is completed in the “quickest and most efficient way possible.”
Councillor Stewart Swinburn commented: “This project was started two years ago and whilst we accept that the level of rust and deterioration was not anticipated, and led initially to more surveys being required, we are now in a position where we believe the extent of the delays are unacceptable. This means we have decided to seek a new contractor.
“We are now absolutely determined to move forward and bring a new specialist engineering firm on board to work with us on completing the lifting span, bringing to a conclusion the works to this fantastic historical structure.”
There is still no confirmed date for when the bridge will reopen, nor a final cost for the scheme.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.