After more than two and a half years of frustration, Labour Councillor Sheldon Mill, Chair of the Transport, Infrastructure and Strategic Housing Committee, has promised transparency and action over the ongoing closure of Corporation Bridge. He is urging residents to get involved in the democratic process to help move things forward.
As Chair of the scrutiny committee, Councillor Mill’s role is to oversee decisions made by Councillor Swinburn on Corporation Bridge and to press for answers on issues such as costs and completion dates.
Councillor Mill has pledged to use his role to push for information including costs and a completion date to be put in the public domain as soon as possible.
“It’s taxpayers’ money, people deserve to know they are getting value for money,” he said.
Councillor Mill acknowledged that the closure of the iconic and historically significant bridge has caused major disruption for residents, stating: “I’m sure there are a lot of people, like me, who pop to B&M, or do their shopping on a Saturday, and if you don’t get there early enough, you get stuck in traffic because it’s close to gridlock. Residents are suffering.”
In a recent update, North East Lincolnshire Council confirmed that after four months of inactivity a new contractor has been appointed. They did not share details surrounding costs or a reopening time-frame.
Addressing that update, Councillor Dan Humphrey, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet lead on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing, said: “When Councillor Swinburn apologised for the delays early this year, he was committed to ‘transparency, accountability and learning’. It is disappointing the statement this week does not tell us anything timescale-wise, so Labour will keep asking for more information.”
Councillor Mill said he was unable to provide Gi Grimsby News with answers on costs and completion dates, but promised the people of North East Lincolnshire would have them very soon.
He is also urging residents to take a more active role in holding councillors to account.
He said, “I would encourage residents to get involved. They can observe the scrutiny committee process by attending meetings, which are publicised on the North East Lincolnshire website. I’d also encourage residents to ask those questions, five days in advance of scrutiny meetings, they can submit questions via the council’s democratic services, and we’ll ensure that those questions are asked.”
Looking ahead, Councillor Mill is adamant that when the bridge is completed, it will be something the town can celebrate.
He said, “It will be something that the town and residents can be really proud of. It already looks good, and anyone who’s walking by can see how good it looks. I think it’s an asset we will be proud of and looking to utilise, I’m just thinking aloud, but you could imagine the Grimsby 10k finishing line being across it.”
For residents wishing to take up Councillor Mill’s invitation, the next scrutiny meeting for Transport, Infrastructure and Strategic Housing will be held on Tuesday, 16 September, at Grimsby Town Hall at 6.30pm. Corporation Bridge is on the agenda.
Roy Horobin
Joined the Gi Grimsby News team in 2025.