Grimsby roadworks causing 'frustration'

Multiple roadworks are taking place on the A180 in Grimsby

A council has explained why it is carrying out several sets of roadworks on a major road in Grimsby at the same time.

North East Lincolnshire Council said the repairs to three bridges on the A180 were "critical".

The authority has been awarded £8.5m to carry out the work on the Gilbey Road and Cleethorpe Road flyovers and the Alexandra Dock bridge.

The council said it "shares the frustration that comes with such work taking place".

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, cabinet member for highways, said: “These are critical elements of our highway system in North East Lincolnshire.

"If these fail, there would be significant impacts, both economically in terms of the amount of trade that use the route, but also for local people going about their everyday lives.

“If we don’t do the repairs soon, the structures will only get worse, meaning larger scale repairs, and potentially complete closure of the route in the future," Mr Swinburn added.

Director of MJ Tyre Services Michael Cook said he was losing trade because of the roadworks

Some drivers said there were too many roadworks happening at the same time in Grimsby, including work to the historic Corporation Bridge which started in February 2023.

One driver told BBC Radio Humberside: "I’m having to spend a lot more time in my van and it’s hard because most of the town is affected by roadworks."

One described the situation as "ridiculous" but another acknowledged "the work has to be done to keep the road surface lovely and the council should be doing the work."

Michael Cook is a director of MJ Tyre Services which is just off the A180.

He said: "We've seen a fall in business because people don't want to go through the roadworks. It's taking some people an extra hour to get to us".

One of Mr Cook's customers, Peter Mascall, said: "It's gridlock and it must be costing businesses a lot of money because people can't get to them properly. Why hasn't the council planned it all better?"

Peter Mascall described the situation as "gridlock"

A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said it was "fully aware of the issues that come with any major highways scheme, and shares the frustration that comes with such works taking place."

The authority asked people to appreciate "the complexities that come with projects of this nature, especially when they involve old and historic structures, as with Corporation Bridge, and the repair and vital maintenance of bridges".

The work on the A180 bridges is due to be completed in the autumn.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].