‘Get a move on and get it done’
WAIT FOR NEW SUGGITT’S LANE FOOTBRIDGE COULD SOON BE OVER
PEOPLE are urging planners to get the new Suggitt’s Lane footbridge open as soon as possible.
Designs for the £3.6m footbridge have been submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council as part of a planning application to finally get the bridge constructed after years of campaigning. If approved, the e bridge will stand at just under five e metres in height and include ramps for disabled users and people with pushchairs.
It could be opening within a matter of months, with a construction period being estimated to be nine months if the e scheme gets the go ahead. Concerns over antisocial behaviour together with 15 near misses led to the controversial closure of the crossing g more than two years ago. Since closing, residents and officials have campaigned for the crossing to be reopened so people don’t have to use the nearby Fuller Street bridge to access the beach.
The scheme, which will go before the council’s planning committee, has already gathered support from future users of the bridge.
Kim Harvey, who lives on Manchester
Street in Cleethorpes, wants the bridge to be built as soon as possible. She said: “The crossing should never have been shut.
“After years of crossing it there have never been any deaths. The bridge is much needed by people who cannot use Fuller Street bridge. It’s taken too long and many people have been affected by the closure, I say get a move on and get it done.” Paul Johnson of Simons Place, Cleethorpes is positive about the project.
He said: “I think the planned bridge is well designed and much needed.
“I have been having to take a 20 minute diversion via the Fuller Street bridge to access the beach with my children. We, along with many others, have been carrying pushchairs and cycles over the bridge since the crossing closed which is very dangerous and is only a matter of time before an accident occurs.”
Melanie Sangster of Achille Road, Grimsby believes there was no need to close the crossing at all.
She said: ““I’m I’m pleased there is going to be a bridge, or at least some access over the train lines. I don’t think it actually needed changing in the first place, I don’t ever remember anyone getting hurt by a train there unless it’s been a deliberate act. It would have been interesting to have figures of the alleged near misses. It’s the end of the line and there are so few trains a day anyway.
“Also, what are the plans for getting cycles across the bridge? As someone who currently has to carry her cycle over Fuller St bridge, it’s a real effort. In Holland they have, escalators at the side of stairs /slopes to put your cycles on.”
Michael Savage, a resident of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, believes the aesthetics of the finished bridge need to be heavily considered. He suggested: “The bridge should be painted in a neutral colour like grey or light blue. Dark blue will make it stand out too much, especially for those living within sight of it.”
The application will be determined by the council in due course.
I don’t think it actually needed changing in the first
place
Melanie Sangster