New car parking options for Cleethorpes Market Place to be discussed by councillors

IDEAS to allow more car parking within the new-look Cleethorpes Market Place scheme are being discussed by councillors at a meeting next week.

A special Economy, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Panel will be held at Grimsby Town Hall on Friday 10 July to discuss the options being put forward.

The proposed new plans will then be voted on at the first meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council’s new Cabinet committee on 15 July – with views from the Scrutiny meeting considered.

Ahead of both meetings, Council Leader, Cllr Oliver Freeston whose Portfolio includes regeneration, said:

“Both these meetings are open to the public and I would encourage anyone interested in the scheme to come and listen, or message me ahead of the meetings with their views. I have already spoken to a lot of businesses and residents and aware of the concerns they have about parking within this scheme.

“With those concerns in mind, I have worked with officers to look at how changes to this can be explored. This is not the end, and I will carry on working with colleagues, officers and those in Cleethorpes to look at any future possibilities to support car parking,” added Cllr Freeston.

The Market Place scheme, supported by the former Government’s LUF (Levelling Up Funding) started on site in May this year. The aim is to help bring more visitors and local people to the area to shop and spend time, supporting local businesses, and with a focus on outdoor events and dining.

Shaped by both formal and informal engagement, a review of feedback from local businesses and other stakeholders has identified some possible changes that could be made to the scheme.

These include:

• Seeking to introduce up to 12 seasonal parking bays that will provide 30 minutes maximum free no-return parking within Market Place;
• Use of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to provide flexibility between open and closed spaces on a seasonal basis;
• Considering the introduction of 1-hour free no-return parking at St Peter’s Avenue and The Old Vic car parks all year round for a two-year trial period. 

Any changes approved at Cabinet would be subject to Road Safety Audits of the proposed design, and new Traffic Regulation Orders being undertaken and an open consultation carried out as part of the statutory processes.

The core design principles of the work would still stand – allowing the work to comply with the funding agreement. However, these changes could introduce flexibility, linked to seasonality and demand to adjust the balance between pedestrianisation and parking.

Other parts of the scheme would not be affected, but work is being reprioritised on site so that, should these amendments be approved, it does not significantly affect the schedule.