Yahoo News Council says summer works at key Grimsby junction will not involve daytime main road closures
North East Lincolnshire Council and its partner Equans have clarified that Bargate, Grimsby, will not be closed during upcoming summer works during the daytime.
Works are due to be done in the summer to realign the junction of Bargate with Dudley Street, traffic light improvements either side of Bargate bridge, and repairs to the bridge. Urgent works have been carried out over a number of weeks this year by utility companies to shift infrastructure ahead of the junction realignment, including currently. - much to the frustration of motorists.
The council has a planned roadworks webpage, with a map run by One.network. The map has marked for Bargate, Deansgate, Dudley Street and Grosvenor Street potential road closures between July 15 and October.
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A council spokesperson has said the only road that will be closed is a short stretch of Grosvenor Street. The current works being carried out are by Cadent Gas on the moving of gas infrastructure. These are set to be completed by April 23. BT Openreach and Northern Powergrid already carried out their separate works earlier this year.
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: "North East Lincolnshire Council and its delivery partner Equans wish to clarify what is showing on the map that has appeared on One Network. Where full closures are required, these will take place overnight and only when absolutely necessary.
"It will only be the short stretch of Grosvenor Street that will be closed. This will mean motorists will have access in both directions on the main roads at all times, with temporary lights."
"It is better to plan and undertake improvement works with controlled flow of traffic for a temporary period during the works rather than wait until the traffic light system fails. We are aware that roadworks cause understandable frustration for motorists especially when they are in any town or city centre and coincide with other necessary and inevitable works. We do therefore ask everyone to understand the need for these works to take place during the summer – when the schools are closed - to keep disruption to a minimum.
"These essential works affect the Bargate/ Dudley Street/Deansgate/Cartergate/Grosvenor Street junction which is incredibly busy at peak times and therefore needs to be maintained in good and full working order."
The summer works will include:
Traffic light replacement at the Bargate, Dudley Street, Deansgate, Cartergate and Grosvenor Street junction, and at the nearby junction of Deansgate, Church Lane and Frederick Ward Way.
New controlled pedestrian crossings to be put in at three arms of the Bargate junction, to greatly improve safety for pedestrians.
To create the crossings, one corner of the Bargate junction will be widened, in order to put in an island for a staggered crossing.
Deansgate Bridge is also to be repaired. "At the same time, essential works will also take place to the parapets on Deansgate Bridge. This bridge, like any other such structure, needs regular inspection and repair to ensure it remains sound for use and preserves its well-known features for years to come. Carrying it out at the same time will prevent possible future disruption."
The spokesperson said the council recognised road users will experience short-term delays as a result. But there will be long-term benefits of a well-maintained highway infrastructure, which provides access to health centres, schools and residences.
"It is fully appreciated that other works will remain in place during the summer these being Corporation Road Bridge and the A180 scheme and again it is understood that this will cause some frustration."
During the current Bargate works, temporary traffic signals have been in place 24 hours a day at the junction of Bargate and Dudley Street. The footway is closed and diversions are in place. The Deansgate bridge is used by a number of the bus routes in and out of Grimsby, including the 250 service to Hull.
Traffic signals have been manually controlled to help ease congestion during peak times, 7am-7pm. Despite this, traffic backing up along Bargate has become a familiar sight at peak morning times recently.
Hessle-based CR Reynolds Ltd were awarded by the council and Equans the £637,000 contract in December for the upcoming summer works.
