Work to start on £4.5m market place transformation

6 hours ago

Ivan Morris PoxtonLocal Democracy Reporting Service

The £4.5m scheme will see a market and events area created in the square

North East Lincolnshire Council Artist impression of the new square. It has grey paving stones with a central area protected by bollards with market stalls surrounded by built-in seating. On both sides are tables with umbrellas outside cafes. — The £4.5m scheme will see a market and events area created in the square

Work to pedestrianise Cleethorpes Market Place will begin on 18 May, North East Lincolnshire Council has said.

Parking spaces will be removed and the square will be transformed into "a flexible space for market and pop-up events", with public seating and outdoor tables for cafes and restaurants.

The scheme has attracted criticism from some business owners who are concerned about the impact on trade during the works and the loss of parking spaces.

It is part of a larger £18m redevelopment project in the seaside resort.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, designs have been finalised, including changing the road layout to improve safety standards and widening some paths to make them accessible for wheelchairs, prams and buggies.

There will also be some parking bays in the redeveloped square for Blue Badge holders.

Traffic management schemes will be put in place when work starts on Monday, with some roads being closed during the construction.

The scheme is costing £4.5m, with money coming from the larger £18m government Levelling Up grant, which is also being used to transform the promenade and Pier Gardens under a master plan by designer Wayne Hemingway.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, and watch thelatest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices