Call for market place consultation renewed

A council scrutiny panel has again recommended a public consultation on the £4.5m redevlopment of Cleethorpes market place, after the Reform UK-led authority rejected a previous request.

Cleethorpes Market Place was to be pedestrianised with parking spaces removed, except for some disabled bays.

However, the original regeneration scheme was reviewed after Reform UK took control of North East Lincolnshire Council in May.

It said a revised scheme would see 12 seasonal-based parking spaces retained, with plans to introduce a two-year trial of one hour's free parking at Victoria Street and St Peter's Avenue car parks.

Work began on the scheme in May and has attracted criticism from some business owners concerned about the impact on trade during the works and the loss of parking spaces.

A scrutiny panel previously called for a formal public consultation on the changes.

But council leader Oliver Freeston told a meeting in July: "My concern is if we go out to consultation, we will ensure more dither, more delay to a scheme we need to deliver on time."

The decision has since been called in by Labour group leader Councillor Emma Clough and Conservative councillor Trevor Crofts.

At a meeting of the scrutiny panel on Monday, Crofts questioned why the revised scheme was preferable to the previously approved version.

Councillors asked for greater transparency over funding, particularly in regard to the free parking trial, which is expected to cost about £145,000 in lost revenue over two years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Concerns were also raised about how seasonal parking would operate and whether it could conflict with events in the pedestrianised area, such as Christmas celebrations.

Freeston said the aim was to create a flexible public space that could still accommodate events.

Meanwhile, council regeneration officer Damien Jaines-White said the addition of 12 parking spaces would not fundamentally alter the scheme's design.

He said a public consultation would not affect the construction contract, but would delay the required Traffic Regulation Order process.

Funding for the free parking trial would come from council reserves, with any extension requiring future budget approval.

Councillors voted in favour of again recommending that cabinet consult the public on the parking changes.

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