Bridge schemes unveiled as City of Culture battles to link with marina

Pressure has been growing for a solution to crossing the A63 at Castle Street since Hull won the title City of Culture 2017.

The aim is to have the bridge completed in time for the celebrations as the Marina and the Fruit Market will be the focus of some of the main events.

Costing between £1.3m and £4.3m, all the bridges are designed to link Princes Dock Street to the Marina, and vary between two and 5m in width and will take cyclists.

Highways Agency project manager Jimmy Holmes said: “We have listened carefully to the feedback we received during the public consultation last summer, when many people told us they wanted to see a landmark structure linking the city centre to the marina.

“Since then, we have been working closely with Hull City Council and other organisations to develop a number of visually-pleasing designs that are accessible and safe, and will attract people to the marina while being cost-effective to maintain.

“We now need to consult the people and organisations that would be directly affected by these proposed designs.

“The chosen design will need to be both achievable and affordable, and meet the scheme objectives.”

Funding still has to be found for the bridge before the work can go ahead.

Myton ward councillor Colin Inglis said: “It’s got to the right sort of bridge. If we are going to regenerate the Fruit Market then it is very important because the road is a real barrier. The sooner it’s done the better. Even if we (the council) have to chip in a bit it will be worth it.”

The Highways Agency is carrying out a limited consultation from today. The five options can be seen online.

Michael Ibbotson, from Hull Council, said: “We have been working closely with the Highways Agency to help draw up designs for an attractive, functional and interesting bridge, appropriate for this location.

“This consultation is an opportunity for affected parties to give their views, which we hope will help provide feedback to move this project forward.”

Derry-Londonderry – 2013’s city of culture – built its Peace Bridge, across the River Foyle, connecting the largely unionist Waterside with the largely nationalist Cityside, two years ahead of the festivities.