THE £6 million transformation of Grimsby town centre continues apace as contractors work towards a December completion date.
Work is continuing on altering the traffic flows and on-street parking arrangements around the Riverhead, while at the other end of town, the redevelopment of Station Approach is in full swing.
Taxi ranks are now operating from recently-constructed bays on Bethlehem Street and Osborne Street, while the construction of a new cycle hub at Grimsby Town railway station is nearing completion, with council bosses aiming to have the facility open by mid-September.
The five-month redevelopment of the town centre, which got underway last month, is being carried out as part of the North East Lincolnshire Council's Green Transport project.
The £6 million scheme is being funded by a £4.3 million grant from the Government's Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), as well as contributions from the council and partner organisations.
The project aims to encourage economic growth, boost green transport initiatives and kick-start regeneration in and around Grimsby town centre.
It will see the replacement of the existing bus station on the Riverhead, with new bus stops on the surrounding streets, and an extension to Freshney Place Shopping Centre, comprising a new passenger waiting area with cafe and toilet facilities.
Traffic flows around Town Hall Square will be altered and taxi ranks and disabled parking bays will be moved.
As well as the creation of the new cycle hire facility in a disused building at Grimsby Town railway station, a new space will be constructed at the junction of Bethlehem Street and Station Approach to encourage slower traffic speeds and cycle movement.
The Green Transport project also includes initiatives aimed at encouraging people to choose more environmentally-friendly alternatives to driving.
Councillor Ray Oxby, portfolio holder for environment and housing, said: "It's great to see things taking shape at Station Approach and across the town centre.
"The Local Sustainable Transport Fund project is not just about developing an integrated transport system, it's also about regenerating the town centre, providing an improved environment in which people can live, work and visit.
"The partner projects also link to health and well-being by providing help and advice about greener and more active forms of transport.
"In my role as portfolio holder for environment I am keen to support and promote cycling. And the new cycle hub being developed at Station Approach will provide all things cycling under one roof. When it opens later in September, it will be a big step forward in providing community cycling facilities for all to enjoy."
As work is being carried out around the Riverhead area, a number of road closures are in place. The junction of Pasture Street with Victoria Street West remains closed until further notice.
Access to Pasture Street from Victoria Street South is maintained but through access from the town centre, via Town Hall Street, is not possible.
Advanced warning signs are in place to alert motorists to the closure and all businesses in the area remain open as usual.
Works are also ongoing at the Frederick Ward Way traffic signal junction and motorists are advised to avoid this junction whenever possible.
The changes in brief...
BUSES:
The existing bus station will be replaced by the extension to Freshney Place Shopping Centre.
Eleven replacement bus stops will be located on the surrounding streets: four on Town Hall Street, two on George Street, and five on Victoria Street West.
A "super stop" will be included within the shopping centre extension, providing an indoor waiting area with toilets and travel information.
TAXIS:
Under the new layout, there will be six ranks catering for 39 cars 24 hours a day in the town centre.
Previously there were seven ranks catering for between 35 and 26 cars depending on the time of day.
The ranks on Victoria Street West extending on to Town Hall Street and in the Riverhead bus stand area are being removed to make way for the new bus stops.
New ranks are being installed further down Victoria Street West and Victoria Street South, replacing restricted parking.
The number of rank spaces on Station Approach will be reduced from 13 to six.
A new rank will be installed on South St Mary's Gate and additional spaces created on Bethlehem Street.
The existing rank on Abbey Walk will be removed.
DISABLED PARKING:
An estimated four additional spaces will be created (depending on size of vehicles and space left between them).
Bays will be lost on Victoria Street West to accommodate the new bus stops.
New bays will be installed on New Street, and additional spaces created in two separate locations on Town Hall Square.
ROAD LAYOUT:
George Street will become a one-way street in the direction of Riverhead Square.
The one-way flow on Town Hall Street will be reversed from New Street towards the Town Hall Street.
The New Street one-way flow will be reversed towards Riverhead Square.
Changes will be made to the junction at Ellis Way and Victoria Street, allowing for all manoeuvres from Victoria Street South, including straight on towards the police station.
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