New tiered seating area at town centre’s Garth Lane now complete

One of the final stages of the Garth Lane project is now complete, with the new seating area, leading to the waterfront, now open to the public.

Comprising of tiered steps and a safety barrier at the water’s edge, the [east-facing] seating area will provide a quiet space for contemplation and relaxation, or perhaps just somewhere nice to eat your lunch and watch the world go by.

The whole site was opened earlier this year by the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, and includes new paving, lighting and CCTV, and landscaping.

Access to the river for water sport enthusiasts has also been improved as part of the project, with the final touches to the area to be completed once permissions have been received from the Marine Management Organisation.

Within the site, “fish” benches carved from the wood from the old willow tree that used to stand next to the original bridge crossing, are also in place and are proving a hit with local children who love to have their photos taken with them.

North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet member for economic growth, Cllr Callum Procter said: “It will be great to see the new seating area used by the public – the site has really changed through this project, and I’m looking forward to seeing it used, and cared for, by local people.

“This is a fantastic step forward for Grimsby in our aim to put pride back into the town centre. We have a fantastic waterfront, and we need to use it! This whole area shows ambition and a vision to bid for and win significant grant funding to enable such change. I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this massively significant project.”

As previously reported, work began more than a year ago with a total of £3.5m funding – £1.3m being secured from the former Humber Local Enterprise Partnership from the Local Growth Fund as part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse. More funding came from The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with monies released as part of the Grimsby Town Deal.