A MULTI-MILLION-POUND highway scheme to create access to Council owned employment land, with the ultimate goal of facilitating the development of further prime development land, is set to start in the New Year.
Part funded by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), this project has been supported with £2.6m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the Humber LEP and part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse, this is part of the £42million South Humber Industrial Investment Programme, (SHIIP) – the most ambitious industrial project ever embarked on by the authority.
The work, part of the most ambitious industrial project of its kind in the area, involves a six-month closure of a 1km section of the A1173 between the Stallingborough interchange of the A180 and the ‘CATCH’ roundabout.
Work is due to start on Monday, 13 January 2020, A full closure will come into force and remain until June 2020, during which time the new roundabout and stubs off it will be constructed. During this time, a signed diversion route will operate via Brocklesby Interchange, the A160, Manby Road and Kings Road, with exceptions being made for critical use only.
The decision for full closure was taken after extensive investigations and, while aware of the diversion adding time onto journeys, it is stressed that the work is vital in progressing the £42million South Humber Industrial Investment Programme, (SHIIP).
With a target of creating more than 3,000 jobs, one of the eventual aims of SHIIP is to develop an ‘oven-ready’ 64ha Business Park. Ultimately, the site which lies next to the A180 Stallingborough interchange, will be seeking to attract a variety of industries, with a focus on sectors such as advanced engineering and renewable energy.
Cllr John Fenty, the Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The SHIIP programme is still in its infancy, but there is already interest in the site from a range of businesses, which will result in jobs for local people. Our ability as a local authority to enable economic growth is crucial to the prosperity of the whole of our borough.”
The authority’s Transport lead, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, understands the likely impact that the closure may have on both businesses and residents, but urged that people remember the long-term goal of this major highways work.
“I understand that a six-month closure of a main artery to and from this important residential and business area is going to cause understandable frustrations, but we must all appreciate the need for North East Lincolnshire to look at its long-term future,” said Cllr Swinburn.
With investment from North East Lincolnshire Council, the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (HLEP), the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), and the European Regional Development Fund, SHIIP has three main strands. Stallingborough Business Park is one, and a new 2.5km highway linking the ports of Grimsby and Immingham and opening-up other Enterprise Zone land is the second.
The final piece of the industrial jigsaw is the creation of the only purpose-built mitigation site of its kind in Europe, which allows businesses to make their plans, knowing that the appropriate amount of land has already been offset to mitigate the effect of their build on the local habitat and wildlife. This saves months in the planning stage.
More details of SHIIP with full plans on the A1173 closure and necessary diversions will be available at a public engagement event, which is planned to take place at The Immingham Civic Centre Hub, Pelham Road, Immingham, DN40 1QF on Tuesday January 7 2020 from 4.30pm until 8pm.