WORK to create access to a new multi-million-pound business park will begin early next month as the next phase of major improvements to the A1173 near Immingham begins.
With the first phase at the CATCH roundabout just needing resurfacing before completion, plans are in place to take the next step. This was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent restrictions.
As previously reported, it involves the introduction of a six-month one-way system on a 1.5km stretch of the road from the A180 junction to CATCH to allow construction of a roundabout.
This road management avoids the need for a complete closure and will see traffic flowing anti-clockwise off the A180 towards Kiln Lane. Traffic wanting to head to the A180 from Kiln Lane will divert along Kings Road, Manby Road and the A160 to the A180 at the Brocklesby Interchange.
These arrangements will come into effect on Saturday, June 6 ready for work to start on Monday, June 8. They were settled upon after a thorough look into traffic movements and directions of travel at peak times of the day and subsequent talks with local hauliers and businesses. Also taken into consideration were the works on the next phase of a new Humber Bank Link Road, which is nearby and due to come online soon.
The roundabout will provide access to phase one of Stallingborough Business Park. Just last week it was revealed that work has started on its first unit, which will see growing Lincolnshire firm myenergi move in as anchor tenant. The firm, behind electric vehicle charging and smart supply energy solutions, plans to double its workforce once it moves, with an option for yet more development.
Myenergi’s move is a positive sign for the Park, which hopes to generate up to 3,000 jobs as well as attracting major new investment. Both the Park and the A1173 upgrade work are part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s SHIIP (South Humber Industrial Investment Programme) project, which looks to reinvent the area’s industrial fortunes for the next generation. SHIIP is being managed by the authority’s regeneration Partner, ENGIE.
Announcing the works’ next phase, North East Lincolnshire Council’s head of Environment and Transport, Cllr Stewart Swinburn said: “There is no doubt of the importance of the project we are embarking upon, which, when complete, is set to transform the industrial landscape of North East Lincolnshire.
“Everyone appreciates that most highway improvement works don’t come without an element of disruption and delay that may affect us all, particularly at peak times, but we have engaged with the relevant people to come up with this alternative solution to the A1173 full closure.”
Cllr John Fenty, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “These works are vital for the on-going regeneration of the area, helping to improve the highway network and create a safer place in which everyone can live and work together. There’s a lot of regeneration going on in the borough, which is great news for the future, but sometimes, this means that we have some temporary road issues while all this work is taking place.”
Supporting the works and the SHIIP programme, David Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of nearby CATCH, a training and support facility for the energy, engineering and renewables sectors, said: “Whilst such highway works are never without disruption, we understand their necessity and certainly look forward to welcoming myenergi to our area, which is an exciting move for the region and for CATCH, as we build our energy skills capability.”
The A1173 work is supported by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), supported with £1.6m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund. This was secured by the Humber LEP and is part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
Stallingborough – General Layout
Stallingborough Interchange Development – Diversion Route Proposals