The reopening of Corporation Bridge faces further delays, as a new contractor has yet to be appointed over a month after the previous agreement with the Spencer Group was terminated.
So far, two dates have been given for the reopening of the crossing, which has been closed for repairs since February 2023, with the latest target being this summer. However, council officials have now confirmed that no replacement contractor is in place. As a result, it looks highly unlikely that Corporation Bridge will reopen any time soon.
The ongoing situation continues to erode public confidence in the council and prolongs frustration for drivers and businesses who rely on the key route and who say they are suffering financially as a result.
According to North East Lincolnshire Council, “significant work has been underway” since the decision was made to terminate the previous contract. A spokesperson said the authority is focused on ensuring that “exactly the right processes are established to bring a new main contractor on board,” adding that they are working to “establish and continue relationships with sub-contractors who were already engaged in some of the work.”
They said that although this may appear to be taking a long time, it “must be done according to the appropriate governance,” adding that the council hopes to be “back on site on specific areas of repair and restoration over the course of the coming weeks.”
“Again, we wish to apologise for the inconvenience to people affected by the bridge restoration,” a spokesperson said. “We assure you that more information will be released as soon as we are able. But again, we stress we firmly believe the action taken in late May to terminate the previous main contract was the right thing to do.”
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.