LOR-ra lorra money for oil answer

FOR too long we have perhaps taken for granted the economic power houses that are the two south bank refineries.
They've been here longer than most residents, a feature of the Humber industrial heritage, and an employer of thousands when you take production, maintenance and safety into account.
Yet the material they feed off isn't going to be around forever.
Today's announcement of the huge investment taking place at Total Lindsey Oil Refinery is an answer to the realisation that North Sea oil is not going to last forever.
And facing tougher environmental demands, the wotk that has to be done here to sustain such plants has increased enormously.
But the skill base in the Humber is clearly recognised by the global players behind these huge companies.
Re-build costs spiral into the billions, but with transport such an issue geography must be a consideration when it comes to whether or not to sign on the dotted line.
It is this factor that shows how valued this area is. Not just by those who live here, but those who spend millions on infrastructure, personnel and presence here.
Long may it continue to flow northern Lincolnshire's way.

Logistics... it is just logical!

LOGICALLY speaking, the outskirts of Grimsby is ripe for logistic development.
Quick, empty roads linking direct to the motorway network, the UK's biggest port on the doorstep and an airport that can handle freight as well as passengers.
So the news that Katoen Natie is coming to town should not be a surprise.
And what a development it will be. Phase one is a £9-million investment alone, and the masterplan - realised in five to 10 years - should see a £38-million spend on the 12 hectare plot.
There's the small matter of hundreds of construction jobs and 150 permanent positions too.
Hobson Way, for so long dubbed the road to nowhere, is now the route to anywhere, not just in the UK - but for major global manufacturers looking to get their product - be it chemical or cosy chair - into Britain.
Criticised in the pasty for investing in such infrastructure without people on the land, the local authority should be praised for foresight and realising how much more attractive a site is with a road in place.
So perhaps this weekend we should all raise a glass - filled with Belgium's finest export (Stella - of course) to Katoen Natie, and the graft that has gone in to getting them here.
Let's just hope the planning process doesn't become a hangover.

Great fibre provider

GRIMSBY can still be a great fibre provider.
That is the definite vibe I'm picking up from those managing the administration of Fibres Worldwide.
Recovery experts Deloitte seem confident the Moody Lane plant is highly sought after, and can be a manufacturing base for the future.
The very fact the company is 'whittling down' the declarations of interest shows there is confidence here.
But what we need now is support. The matter has been brought to the attention of Yorkshire Forward and the Department for Trade and Industry.
Between them, they need to make sure that when a deal is done the new owner - who inherits a fabulous workforce - gets the financial backing to modernise a plant that has strategic implications for UK Plc.
We wait and see.