Enthusiasm for £7m bridge sees an upswing

The £7m footbridge, which opened yesterday after almost three years of delay, is thought to be the only one in the world where people can get on and off as it opens and closes.

Designed by architects McDowell and Benedetti and built in Barnsley by engineers Qualter Hall, the bridge works like a giant pinball flipper, rotating on a ball through 90 degrees to allow River Hull traffic to get through.

One of its quirky aspects is the gentle dinging of ship’s bells, which take over from the sound of birdsong, to signify that it is about to move.

From the enthusiasm of those who crossed it, it looks like it will finally lose its label of a “bridge too far.”

Businessman Gordon Rason said it was “absolutely brilliant”, adding: “It connects the Old Town to Victoria Dock. It is modern, nicely designed and it’s in the right place and the movement is a novelty.”

Retired police officer John Walker was impressed by the small handset used to operate the bridge: “I am surprised by how little vibration there is. You can’t feel it moving and I’m very impressed with the finish. It must be a tourist attraction.”

The bridge will initially swing only for shipping movements, before its official launch on June 28.

After then it will open on weekends, during holidays and for ships.

However no date has yet been set for the opening of a new car park on the east bank, which will give two hours free parking in a bid to stimulate the struggling Old Town.

Local traders are exasperated. Louise Van Gils, who has run Kingston Stationers in the arcade for 20 years, has just handed in her notice on the shop.

She said: “It’s nearly three years too late. I was hanging on and hanging on to see if it would open and make a difference to trade in this part of town but you need the car park to be open.”