Partner Article

Chamber backs plans for "iconic" Hull bridge

Plans to install an iconic bridge on Hull’s Castle Street are being backed by Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.

Work on the £160m road project to sink the A63 into an underpass to improve traffic flow to the docks and East Hull, is expected to start in 2015.

A meeting of the Chamber’s Shipping Committee business leaders raised concerns with Highways Agency representatives about the lack of a design, and costings for a suitable bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to use to cross the redeveloped A63 junction.

Cllr Martin Mancey and Mike Ibbotson, from Hull City Council and Highways Agency representatives Graham Riley and Stuart Allanson, discussed various aspects of the road scheme with Chamber leaders before it was agreed by business leaders that the final design must incorporate an “iconic” land bridge that people will want to use, even if that were to come with a price tag of up to £5-million.

Chamber chief executive, Dr Ian Kelly, said: “The Chamber has long championed this road scheme but feels it is vital to get the right iconic style land bridge for pedestrians included in the plans to ensure the upgrade of Castle Street reunites the city with its waterfront.”

Graham Cross, chairman of the Chamber’s Shipping Committee, said: “Even if it were to cost £5-million, taken in the context of the full cost of the scheme, it’s not that much more money and it’s important that we create a bridge that people will want to use and one that will benefit the city for many years to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .