Council defends decision to remove seaside maze

The maze in Cleethorpes has been removed

A local authority has defended its decision to remove a maze from a park in Cleethorpes.

Ward councillors said they were “appalled” and “disgusted” by the destruction of the hedge maze in Pier Gardens.

North East Lincolnshire Council said the work was part of preparations for the rejuvenation of the gardens, which will be funded in part from the town's £18.4m levelling up fund.

The site had suffered from "significant and sustained" antisocial behaviour and the space would be used for Armed Forces Day, the authority added.

However, councillors argued that there had been a lack of consultation and a recent engagement project had failed to state that the maze would go.

“We are investigating what happened and when,” said Councillor Marian Jervis, who represents Croft Baker ward.

'Absolutely disgusted'

Fellow ward councillor Oliver Freeston added: “I’m absolutely disgusted because people used to use it.”

Councillor Paul Bright, who represents Freshney ward, questioned why the maze was removed "in the run-up to the summer season" and "in the middle of bird-nesting season".

“The maze is one of the few free activities for children to enjoy in Cleethorpes,” he said.

North East Lincolnshire Council said councillors were told of the decision "six days" before the work started.

Surveys had identified several long-term maintenance and safety issues. A trained ecologist had overseen the tree work and hedge removal, and the privet bushes had been checked for nests.

Because the work was pre-planned, the maze was absent from drawings and designs included in the public consultation on Pier Gardens, the authority added.

The space is expected to be utilised for Armed Forces Day, following the installation of a temporary surface of stone chippings, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Work on the transformation of Pier Gardens is expected to begin next year.

There were 36 police reports in Pier Gardens between April 2023 and March 2024, including 11 incidents categorised as antisocial behaviour and six as public order incidents, according to data from the police.uk website.

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