Grimsby Corporation Bridge questions at full council
The bridge has been closed to motorists since February 2023
Last updated 3rd Aug 2025
The continued closure of Corporation Road Bridge, in Grimsby, and the eventual total cost of its repair have been raised at full council. The bridge has been closed to motorists since February 2023.
Originally due to open by Christmas 2023, it got pushed back indefinitely due to a worse structural condition than expected. It was then tentatively estimated to be reopened this summer, which as recently as early February the council’s transport cabinet member publicly said he believed it was on track for.
In May, principal contractor Spencer Group was fired by the council, a move that “baffled” the company. Although the exact details behind the contract termination were not stated, senior councillors said at the time it was due to “recently received information on potential further delays and increased costs”.
At the latest full council meeting, Labour councillor Matt Patrick (Heneage Ward) raised the spend on the bridge. No new contractor has yet been finalised to complete remaining works.
Cllr Patrick asked what had been spent on structural repairs to date, and the anticipated spend before it can be reopened. Responding, Cllr Stephen Harness (Conservative – Humberston and New Waltham), portfolio holder for finance, resource and assets, acknowledged the scheme’s original budget was £5.1m. This was made up of £2.9m from the Department for Transport, £1.8m from the council itself, and £320,000 from the Local Transport Fund.
“Additional costs from the extended works required on this project have not been published due to commercial sensitivity,” said Cllr Harness. However, he did direct to a recent quarterly finance report. This put a figure of £7.3m on payments to contractors.
“As we know, the project hasn’t been completed and there are some contractual legal issues to be resolved,” stated Cllr Harness. He reiterated an additional contingency cost for the extra works required was approved by the council’s cabinet in November 2023, with a maximum level, though again is covered by commercial sensitivities.
In his follow-up, Cllr Patrick asked him whether he thought it was “value for money on behalf of the council taxpayer?” Cllr Harness gave a cautious answer, stating this was “very difficult to quantify”.
“We’re talking about a heritage asset, listed building. It’s a steel structure, it’s set in brine and water, so I imagine the day it’s completed, it’s going to start deteriorating, unfortunately.”
He added that when it reopens it will be a highways asset for the council and “hopefully, it’s good for another hundred years or so”. The bridge was originally constructed in 1925.
Remaining works include span four, which operates the bridge’s lifting mechanism. Because of the bridge’s listed status, the council must ensure the lifting mechanism remains functional.
In June, transport portfolio holder Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Conservative – Immingham) declined to resign over the bridge delays, and said he would “ask the hard questions and ensure lessons are learned”. He did offer a sincere apology to residents, commuters and local businesses affected.