A raft of infrastructure and construction projects are being launched across North Lincolnshire as the region bids to bounce back from the economic impact of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Strict national advice and guidance remains in place to combat the spread of coronavirus but it is anticipated this phased, safe return to previously agreed investment plans will begin to re-create conditions for growth.
North Lincolnshire Council is kick-starting this by launching a £31m three-year investment programme to upgrade many miles of roads in dozens of communities across the region, develop several new junctions, open up a number of future development sites and support the next phase of building work on the town’s university campus.
Work will start on site in May for the new £4.5m M181 junction along Brumby Common Lane – a year-long project which is the first major investment in the region’s motorway network since the spur was opened in the late 1970s. Contractors will be on site by mid-May for the project which will open 60 acres of commercial land for development, enable the building of up to 3,000 homes and ease congestion at Berkley Circle.
At the same time a new road layout will be developed at the junction of Station Road, Brigg Road and High Street East to improve traffic flow into the town centre and ease congestion along Brigg Road.
Also, contractors are now on site at Flixborough Industrial Estate levelling the former Glanford House to create a new development site. The same contractors will then move to demolish the former market site in Scunthorpe town centre, opening up the 2.5 acre prime development site.
Meanwhile, the council’s highways team has also started a programme of more than 30 schemes across the area – including resurfacing work, new pedestrian crossings and new foot paths. The first phase will see improvements in Althorpe, Barrow, Barton-upon-Humber, Brigg, Broughton, Epworth, Hibaldstow, Killingholme, New Holland, Scunthorpe and Winteringham all completed by July.
These latest projects come in the wake of a £13m award-winning flood defence project on bank of the River Trent.
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“We know there is a still a long way to go as we emerge from the protective measures we have had to adopt to combat coronavirus. The impact will be felt in communities across the region for some time to come. Adherence to the measures is critically important.
“We also know that there is the other side of this and it is prudent that we plan for that. There has been careful consideration of the social distancing measures which need to be put in place and maintained through the lifecycle of all of these projects to protect the people working on the sites and also the wider community. We have not underestimated this and strict measures will be in place and they will be monitored throughout.
“Bearing all of that in mind, and with construction companies, as with many other sectors of our economy, facing challenges, now is the right time for the council to invest in the infrastructure of North Lincolnshire – we can protect jobs now and at the same time build for the future.
“Redeveloping the sites at Flixborough and the town centre will create jobs, boost the local economy and act as a gateway for further investment.
“All of these major, government-funded, infrastructure investments are critical to our future, they are essential components of how we can all keep safe and well, how our flourishing communities can remain strong and connected and how our economy can continue to grow.”
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for connectivity at North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This broad range of projects across North Lincolnshire will set us up for a more prosperous future. We need to make sure that the main access roads in to and out of the town are fit for purpose and traffic can flow as freely as possible.
“These plans will future-proof this part of the network – it will be better for motorists and it will be better for pedestrians and cyclists, it will make the place and therefore the people much better connected locally, regionally and nationally.”
