Key issues for voters ahead of local elections
FROM ROADWORKS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
EMPTY shops in the town centre, Grimsby’s roadworks congestion and buses are among the key issues for Grimsby people ahead of local elections on May 2.
Twelve North East Lincolnshire wards will each elect a councillor. Only Waltham, West Marsh and Wolds wards will not. However, the Police and Crime Commissioner election is taking place across the Humberside region. Grimsby Live spoke to people in Grimsby about what the key issues for them are as the local elections approach.
The snapshot of views illustrated concern about the town centre and disillusionment with politics. Roadworks in and around the town currently came up. Mum and daughter Jill and Lisa Taylor felt particularly aggrieved as West Marsh residents. Corporation Bridge’s continued closure and the A180 flyover works particularly affect access in and out of West Marsh. “Everywhere you go, you’re stuck,” said Jill. “Taking the kids to school is a nightmare.”
Lisa added a frustration of often passing the disruptive roadworks and not seeing works taking place. “Everything” was Jill’s initial answer to the key local issues for her, but the pair singled out the roadworks as top of the list. “The general state of retail areas, they’re not nice,” said Derek and Maureen Cook at Riverhead Square. “This should be finished,” said Derek of the square’s multi-million pound transformation.
“There’s always a delay, particularly on public projects.”
Riverhead Square’s completion was briefly set back by a pause due to an issue with stone supplies.
“I don’t particularly think it’s great but it’s better than what it was. It needs events.”
The pair generally felt Grimsby lacked leisure activities, but did sing the praises of Culture House. “We often go to Louth because it’s a bustling place, it’s always busy.” The couple had even gone as far afield as Pontefract to its Liquorice Festival.
“Other than that, the usual antisocial behaviour, run down of services,” added Derek of key issues that concerned them.
He expressed disillusionment with politics though, adding all one could do was mark ‘X’ on the ballot and hope for the best.
Maureen used to run a stall in Top Town Market, but low footfall had led to her deciding to end this recently. Both wanted an extension of free parking hours in Grimsby, noting that Freeman Street car park aside, there was only two free hours parking on Sundays.
Chloe, walking through St James’ Square, was likewise concerned about the town centre. “The state of Freshney Place and how empty it is,” was her immediate key issue raised. “I know there’s supposed to be all those plans in motion,” she said sceptically, referring to the leisure scheme, which includes a cinema and moving of the market in its plans.
“Look at the Pure Gym area, it’s all gone,” noting Riverhead’s complete absence of tenants after Pure Gym closed this month.
Chloe wanted more shops and eateries and felt there was a lack of investment in the area. Wendy Aisthorpe was especially critical of public transport. “I’ve lived here all my life, it’s disgusting now. The bus service is diabolical.” She used to use the Humber Flyer when it went to Cleethorpes to get to her job in the town centre. She now had to use the No 7 bus and was unhappy that its last weekday service was around 5pm.
The £120m HS2 scrapped cash for local transport in North East Lincolnshire from next April was raised with her, and the council’s plans for a transport hub at Osborne Street. Wendy wanted improved services, above all.
“They should be helping people who can’t get from A to B.”
Her disabled adult son, Sean
Donnelly, added that there were not many printed bus timetables, which was an extra issue for older people without technology.
Susan and George Day, from Caistor, had travelled to Grimsby for a pub meal to celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary, and gave an outsider perspective.
“Two cinemas, why do you need it?” queried George, unconvinced a Grimsby cinema was a good idea. “There’s a perfectly good cinema in Cleethorpes,” agreed Susan. George also did not see the point of moving Top Town Market, too. The duo brought up the number of empty shops as well, but like others who spoke to Grimsby Live, acknowledged a key factor. “Everybody else uses the internet and this is why the shops are all shut,” said Susan.
There’s always a delay, particularly on public projects Derek Cook