Initial work complete to develop concept plans for a Grimsby transport hub
This would be located off Osborne Street, where units have recently been demolished
Initial work has been completed to develop concept plans for a Grimsby transport hub.
This would be located off Osborne Street, where units have recently been demolished.
Earlier this month, councillors on the transport, infrastructure and strategic housing scrutiny panel were treated to a fly-through video of the conceptual design so far. There are further design stages to come, so it is subject to change, but the concept design is needed for the first stages of any major capital project before seeking further funding.
The aim of the transport hub is to create a centralised, multi-functional green transport interchange, with direct connections to Grimsby Town railway station, Abbey Walk car park and surrounding retail and business areas. North East Lincolnshire Council has provided to the LDRS an image from the video of the conceptual design as seen from Osborne Street.
Development of the fully fleshed-out transport hub in the conceptual design is subject to getting funding. A council officer said the council has the funding to produce a planned bus apron, but is looking for Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) to deliver the building at the same time, and then further phases.
Phase three would see glass screens installed to the apron. The final phase would focus on linkage to the railway station.
The conceptual design suggests entry and exit via Osborne Street, but this is subject to highways investigative work. The council undertook public surveys last year and has also engaged with bus operator Stagecoach, including on how buses can move around the area.
The fly-through video suggested 12 drive in and reverse out bays. As well as a large outward facing clock, the conceptual design imagines toilet facilities, benches, a small outdoor coffee stall and an indoor cafe.
Cllr Dan Humphrey (Labour – Scartho Ward) said it was “encouraging”, and joked one day it could feature as a starting off point on Race Across the World. Cllr Ian Lindley called the conceptual design video “an absolute breath of fresh air, we’ve been waiting for this for so long.
“When the public start to see images like that, they’re going to be excited.” The current fragmented town centre stops were “a million miles away” from it. “I think the sooner we can get funding secured for the additional phases, the better, because as a finished article I think it really will put the town on the map.”
Women’s safety to be specifically considered
Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (Liberal Democrat – East Marsh) submitted a question to the portfolio holder for transport, Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Conservative – Immingham), asking for a commitment that women’s safety is “specifically referenced and built into future transport hub reports”, such as on lighting. Cllr Swinburn said it would be considered as part of the programme, as well as other crime and anti-social behaviour concerns.
Cllr Humphrey felt the question was a good one. He successfully moved for the panel to recommend future transport hub reports include specific reference to planning to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Any future project work will incorporate Secure by Design (SBD) principles throughout the design stages to ensure a safe and secure environment for all users. Further engagement work will also be done with stakeholders like community safety partners, and VAWG representatives
Reacting after the meeting, Cllr Aisthorpe added: “I regularly hear from women who feel unsafe walking through town, especially in the evenings. Local data backs this, the equivalent of around 10 reports a day were made last year across North East Lincolnshire relating to violence against women and girls, and the council’s own survey shows women feel significantly less safe than men when using the town centre.”
“I’ll keep pushing for women and girls’ safety to be built into this project properly, and I’ll keep asking the difficult questions until it is,” she added. North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet will need to approve next month progression of hub plans.