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Plan to fix Hull bridges and house replica Banksy

Richard Madden
BBC News
BBC An aerial view of a blue and white bridge spans over a brown river. Industrial looking buildings, tower blocks and car parks are visible on either side of the bank.BBC
The plan, if approved, would see North Bridge refurbished and strengthened after a structural assessment found weaknesses

A report that highlights the full extent of problems, damage and decay to 15 bridges in Hull also reveals a plan to fix them.

On Monday, Hull City Council's cabinet will consider the long-term programme of works which, if approved, would run until May 2030.

The proposals include strengthening work on the Hessle Road flyover, Sutton Road bridge and flyover and North Bridge.

It also includes a project to build a display frame to house a replica of the Banksy "Draw the raised bridge" artwork at the site of the former Scott Street bridge.

In April, the council said it had earmarked more than £28m to fix bridges around the city.

Council leader Mike Ross wrote to the government asking for Hull to be allocated part of a £1bn pot for the "renewal of broken bridges, ruined roads and tired tunnels".

An aerial view of the black, futuristic Scale Lane bridge in Hull. A wooden walkway is visible along the bank of the river. The skyline of Hull city centre is visible in the background.
The Scale Lane footbridge and the River Hull walkway form part of the proposed five-year project

The improvement works being considered by the council cabinet include:

  • Decommissioning of the Boothferry Road footbridge, close to the Costello Stadium, after "numerous defects" were found including an "ongoing risk" to the structure holding the bridge together.
  • Bearing replacement work on the Ennerdale Bridge, Stoneferry Bridge and Millennium Footbridge.
  • The redesign and replacement of the mechanism on the Scale Lane swing bridge, which was closed for investigation work in February.
  • A refurbishment of Sculcoates Bridge, which underwent engineering work two years ago. It was closed to vehicle traffic in 2020 over collapse concerns.
  • Replacement timber fenders for the Wilmington Bridge at Wincolmlee after the discovery of "extensive decay".

Victoria Pier and the River Hull walkway also form part of the plan. They will be made safe while a feasibility study to look at their potential replacement is carried out.

The footbridge, which links Priory Drive and Priory Road to Hotham Road and Bricknell Avenue over the Hull to Scarborough railway line, is also said to be in "poor condition" with "movement to the foundations".

Mark Ieronimo, the portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at the council, said he acknowledged there was a "significant amount of work required".

He added: "I am confident that this comprehensive maintenance programme provides a strategic plan to address these needs effectively.

"This initiative marks a crucial step towards enhancing the longevity and functionality of our community's infrastructure."

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