Work set to restart on Cleethorpes RNLI’s new lifeboat station
The RNLI will recommence building work on the new lifeboat station in Cleethorpes on 19 February 2024, following a cessation caused by the original contractor entering receivership.
Wynne Construction has been appointed to complete the project, which is now expected to finish in late autumn.
Ben Sautter, RNLI Principal Estates Engineer, said: ‘I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding whilst the building work has been paused. The RNLI has been working hard to ensure that the project could be restarted as soon as possible. However, several factors have led to the delay, including the need to retender the works and revalidate existing marine and other licencing agreements.
‘We are delighted that the build is set to start in February. Our charity already has a strong relationship with Wynne Construction after working with them on previous RNLI lifeboat station projects and we look forward to continuing this in Cleethorpes.’
Mick Fowler, Cleethorpes RNLI’s volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘The station will be built on the beach in front of the current building and will provide the capability to position a second lifeboat at Cleethorpes, a more powerful B class Atlantic 85, which will join the existing D class lifeboat already on station.
‘This will enable the charity to respond more quickly, in a wider range of weather conditions, to a larger variety of incidents while keeping our volunteers safer. The start of the build of our new station is an exciting moment for all our volunteers in Cleethorpes, both operational and fundraising.’
The new station will have its own slipway for launch and recovery of the boats. Currently, the lifeboat must cross a public road near a blind bend.
Changing and training facilities will also be much improved, and the RNLI shop will move on site as well, giving shop volunteers access to running water and a toilet, neither of which are available in the current shop.
Wynne Construction, project manager Mark Wilson said: ‘We are very pleased to have been awarded this prestigious contract for Cleethorpes RNLI and look forward to the construction phase getting underway. It is good to be once again working with the RNLI team to deliver another successful project, following on from the completion of lifeboat stations such as Llandudno.’
The RNLI has been working closely with partners to establish a site and traffic plan to try to ensure the minimum inconvenience to local residents, businesses and visitors. However, works of this size will inevitably cause some disruption.
From 19 February, the traffic management measures will be reintroduced to close Central Promenade to traffic and a temporary signed and barriered footway will be provided through the closure for pedestrians.
As before, there will be no access for vehicles from Brighton Street past the Coastguard station, and cyclists will be asked to dismount and walk with their cycles through the restricted area or use alternative routes. Entry onto and exit from the Central Promenade will be from Sea Road only. Parking will still be available, and an area created and kept free of vehicles near the works site to allow for cars to turn around.
Traffic management personnel will be on site to help manage traffic while restrictions are in place. Some disabled bays will be closed; these will be re-provisioned and signed nearby. The Central Prom will be opened fully at night between 6pm and 7am to one way through traffic from the direction of the pier, allowing vehicles to leave via Brighton slip end. The temporary pedestrian footway will remain in place. Traffic restrictions will be lifted at weekends.
Throughout the build, the RNLI’s contractors will be working to minimise disruption and are working with the organisers of all planned major events to ensure they are accommodated.
The charity will be sharing regular updates on progress on Cleethorpes RNLI’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RNLICleethorpes
RNLI Picture captions
The image shows an artist’s impression of what the completed lifeboat station will look like. Credit: RNLI.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East at: [email protected] or on: 07824 518641 or, Matt McNally, Cleethorpes RNLI’s volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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