The North East Lincolnshire Labour Group has renewed its call for Councillor Stewart Swinburn to resign, criticising his handling of the long-running Corporation Bridge “fiasco” and challenging his claim of transparency.
Labour accused Councillor Swinburn of defying residents’ calls to step down over the project’s significant delays and rising costs. The group said that while he has publicly called for “transparency, accountability and learning”, he “refuses to be held accountable as he won’t resign.”
As has been extensively reported, the controversial Corporation Bridge project has faced repeated delays, increased costs, and arguably a lack of clear updates to residents and local businesses. Most recently, it became clear that the project would be delayed once again after the council severed its relationship with the contractor.
The scheme has now become a flashpoint for wider frustrations over council infrastructure management.
Councillor Swinburn recently issued an apology for the disruption caused by the works but stopped short of offering his resignation. He instead called for a commitment to “transparency, accountability and learning”.
In a strongly worded statement, Labour responded: “He asks for more patience, without showing any learning and the bare minimum transparency. The public and affected businesses deserve better than further delays and his overdue apology. When will a new contractor be appointed? When will the bridge be open?”
Calls for Councillor Swinburn’s resignation are continuing to grow as public confidence in the scheme continues to wane. No new contractor has yet been announced, and no confirmed timeline has been provided for when the bridge will reopen.
