We are listening to what the community wants

This is the message from the Conservatives, as plans to create a plaza on Sea View Street, Cleethorpes, are revised.

The previously Labour-controlled North East Lincolnshire Council’s proposal to remove the car park at the Alexandra Road end of the street to create a plaza with seating and event space was unpopular with traders.

They were especially worried that getting rid of the car parking spaces would affect trade. Also, the removal of the existing roundabout meant there would be no right-turn for traffic towards Kingsway.

Since the Conservatives were elected to control the council in May, key decisions made by the previous administration have been – and continue to be – scrutinised.

At a meeting this week, revised plans were presented which allayed their fears. The plans are part of the ongoing £3.8-million regeneration works in the resort.

It was the case that the previous administration were not listening, which triggered the revised plans to bring back the car park and retain the roundabout at Alexandra Road, crucially allowing traffic to turn right.

And having listened to what the traders want, extra changes have been included. Uneven paving would be fixed and a built-in power supply would be created.

The new plan is a proposal at this stage, and is being submitted to this month’s Cabinet meeting.

Councillor John Fenty, the deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for regeneration, skills and housing, organised the meeting, and has pledged to continue listening to the community.

“The scheme originally designed saw the loss of vital car parking and introduced a no right-turn junction at the top of Sea View Street,” he said.

“We objected to this last year. The traders were up in arms but nevertheless, Labour’s Cabinet approved the scheme.

“We are listening. We are taking note of what the people who live here want and why before any decisions are made. It is very important to look back at some key decisions made by the previous administration.”

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph, the chair of Sea View Street Trader Association, Anna Darnell, said: “Traders and the local authority have worked together to create a scheme which works for businesses, shoppers and tourists. The area at the top of the street is now a flexible space which can be used for events and this is something moving forward we are excited about. We would like to stress that during the works, businesses will be operating as normal and we would like to encourage people to visit to see our great street transform.”

Read the Grimsby Telegraph report in full here.