Work begins to transform Grimsby's Riverhead (video)

WORK has begun on the redesign of Grimsby's Riverhead – as a store chain waits in the wings to move into Freshney Place.

The town centre is undergoing a £6-million transformation, aimed at providing jobs and investment opportunities.

A generation has gone by since the last revamp, and the ground-breaking work, which has now begun, is paving the way for an expansion of the shopping centre.

Freshney Place bosses today remain tight-lipped over rumours a major chain is waiting to sign up to trade from the new extension.

But the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Chris Shaw, told that there were "a number of chains" waiting to open up in Grimsby.

He said the new-look bus station will also be safer and more efficient.

There will be new shelters for bus travellers, who will also benefit from hi-tech information boards. Buses will be fitted with global positioning devices to give travellers up-to-the-minute arrival times.

Councillor Shaw said: "It will free up the Riverhead for further development, bringing more business and making it more vibrant.

"This is all part of the regeneration of North East Lincolnshire, including a new leisure centre."

He said Freshney Place had confirmed a developer was lined up to carry out the expansion of the shopping centre. The leader said the thousands of old paving blocks which were laid out about 30 years ago will be kept in storage and recycled for other enhancement schemes in the borough.

North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for the environment, Councillor Ray Oxby, said: "It is a great initiative and recognises the needs of all transport users including pedestrians and cyclists – a key part of our integrated transport strategy.

"We are also tackling congestion issues by providing real alternatives to travelling by car."

There will be a super-stop indoor waiting area for bus passengers which will include toilets and travel information.

The £6-million was made up from a £4.3-million grant from the Government's Local Sustainable Transport Fund approved last summer.

There will be a new pedestrian and cycle link between Grimsby Town railway station and Victoria Street, making it safer for them.

There will be a new cycle hub at the railway station and the number of taxi parking bays will be reduced with no parking on the Yarborough Hotel side of Station Approach. New bays for five cabs will be introduced in South St Mary's Gate and Osborne Street.