By Update on Garth Lane development as old footbridge abandoned
The old Freshney footbridge has been spotted abandoned along with other debris on the Garth Lane development site.
A new bridge was installed on the site in June last year as part of a £3.5m regeneration project began.
But the original cast iron bridge remains abandoned and surrounded by debris on the site.
The ongoing project is being funded partly by the former Humber Local Enterprise Partnership from the Local Growth Fund, as part of the Northern Powerhouse, who allocated £1.3m towards it.
Further funding came from The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government with monies released as part of the Grimsby Town Deal.
Further development in the form of a new youth centre is set to take place in the coming months and years.
The new OnSide ‘Horizon’ Youth Zone, which has just won £2.7m of National Lottery Heritage funding, will involve the transformation of the historic redundant buildings along Garth Lane into a state-of-the-art centre for young people.
There are also plans to renew the beach area next to the river, and to install new public spaces, lighting and seating areas.
Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “The Garth Lane site is hugely important to bringing areas of Grimsby together.
“The site has been derelict for some time, and along with Frederick Ward Way has only served to cut off the north of Grimsby from the rest of the town centre.
“We’re also doing significant work to the West Haven Maltings development site to bring in the national youth zone provider, OnSide,” he continued.
“The area will be revitalised in terms not seen for generations.”
But with the bridge abandoned in this way, many are questioning whether the project is currently dormant and when construction is expected to resume.
North East Lincolnshire Council have been contacted for a statement but have not yet responded.
Updates to follow.
