Bridge closure extended after contractor termination

A historic bridge repair project in Grimsby has seen costs more than double to £12m and completion pushed back three years after the council terminated its original contractor.

A century-old bridge in Grimsby will remain closed for another year after the council terminated the original contractor and costs surged from £5m to £12m.

Initially, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) awarded Spencer Group the contract to repair the Grade II-listed Corporation Road Bridge in 2022. However, the authority subsequently stripped the firm of the work in May, citing “unacceptable delays” after discovering corrosion and structural degradation far worse than initial surveys indicated.

Following this, structural steelwork specialist Taziker has now taken over the project, proposing a complete closure to accelerate completion. Ultimately, the council backed this approach over a partial closure, which would cost more and extend delays.

Meanwhile, the bridge has been shut since February 2023, with the original Christmas 2023 reopening date now pushed to end-2026. As a result, the council has imposed a £12m cost cap.

In response to the setbacks, NELC leaders Philip Jackson and Stewart Swinburn said they had “taken charge” to prevent similar situations. “We are determined to make sure this Grade II-listed bridge is completed back to its full working order,” they stated.

Nevertheless, Spencer Group told local media it was “baffled and disappointed” by the termination, saying it had consulted the council throughout and received no opportunity to protect work in progress.

Moreover, the 1928 Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge is one of only 25 remaining in England.