No consultation on changes to market place revamp

11 hours ago

Ivan Morris PoxtonLocal Democracy Reporting Service

The original plan for Cleethorpes Market Place was to pedestrianise the square

North East Lincolnshire Council Artist impression of the redeveloped square with diners sat at outside tables, planters and rows of lights hanging from posts — The original plan for Cleethorpes Market Place was to pedestrianise the square

Plans to make changes to a £4.5m redevelopment are to go ahead without further public consultations.

Cleethorpes Market Place was to be pedestrianised with parking space removed, except for some disabled bays.

The new Reform-led council has said a revised scheme would see 12 seasonal-based parking spaces retained.

A 56-signature petition presented to a North East Lincolnshire Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday called for the current design to be kept.

Work began on the scheme in May and it has attracted criticism from some business owners concerned about the impact on trade during the works and the loss of parking spaces.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council leader Oliver Freeston told the meeting he had spoken to a lot of businesses and residents and was "aware of the concerns they have about parking within this scheme". He said the changes addressed those concerns.

He defended the decision not to undertake a formal public consultation saying "engagement with the public doesn't have to be written consultations".

"My concern is if we go out to consultation, we will ensure more dither, more delay to a scheme we need to deliver on time," he added.

Work began on the Market Place redevelopment in May

LDRS Work on the square with a row of orange and white barriers on one side of the street and traffic cones and road sides at one end — Work began on the Market Place redevelopment in May

Presenting his petition to the meeting, George Georgiou said: "I have waited many years along with many other residents for the Cleethorpes Market Place redevelopment."

He added that it gave people hope for a safer and more attractive market place. "It was designed to put people before cars".

In response, Freeston said that people would not want to sit outside on a cold and rainy day in November and there seemed, to him, no logic in keeping the space pedestrianised then.

As for safety concerns, he said: "Unfortunately, the presence of cars in any area is always a risk but we can't get rid of cars entirely, people rely on them."

The new plans would also see a two-year trial of up to one hour free parking in St Peter's Avenue and Victoria car parks.

The estimated cost of the changes is £160,000 spread over two years. Most of the cost - £145,000 - is due to the estimated loss of revenue from the free parking trial.

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