North East Lincolnshire’s Labour Group is demanding a formal apology and the resignation of Councillor Stewart Swinburn, the portfolio holder for transport, following the latest setback in the long-running Corporation Bridge restoration project.
The call comes after North East Lincolnshire Council announced earlier today that it is terminating its agreement with The Spencer Group, the contractor originally appointed to carry out the works. The council cited “unacceptable” delays as the reason for the decision.
Once estimated to cost £5 million and take around 11 months to complete, the scheme has now dragged on for more than 26 months. According to Labour, the project has already exceeded its original budget by at least £2 million — and will require “millions more” to finish.
In a strongly worded statement, the Labour Group described the situation as the “latest failure” in a project that has become a source of widespread frustration among both councillors and the public.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The bridge repair project was supposed to take 10 months. It has now gone on for more than 26 months, and it still isn’t finished. The bridge is an important route through the town, and people will have to wait even longer before it reopens.
“So far, the project has cost over £7 million, and it will take millions more to complete. Labour and the Independent group have repeatedly attempted to scrutinize the council on this, but our questions have been repeatedly ignored.
“Labour Group is now calling for the immediate resignation of Cllr Stewart Swinburn, the portfolio holder responsible for Corporation Bridge, as well as a full and frank apology from the Conservative administration to local residents and businesses.”
Cllr Emma Clough, Leader of the Labour Group, added: “This project has been badly managed by the Conservative leadership from the very start. Residents, local businesses, and drivers have faced more than two years of delays and disruption — with no clear end in sight. It has now become a major financial risk for the council, with even more taxpayer money needed just to get the bridge reopened. Cllr Stewart Swinburn’s position is no longer tenable, he must resign. The Council must also apologise to the people of North East Lincolnshire for these unacceptable delays.”
To date, North East Lincolnshire Council has not provided a clear timeline for when the bridge will reopen. Gi Grimsby News has asked for updated cost information on several occasions but has been told repeatedly that the figures remain “commercially sensitive” and cannot be disclosed.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.