February earmarked for completion of £7.5m River Hull footbridge

HULL Council will hold a meeting with contractors next week to finalise a schedule for construction of a new footbridge over the River Hull.

The 7.5m swing bridge was due to open in December but has been hit by delays because of funding, and the council is working to ensure the structure and associated landscaping developments on both sides of the river are completed at the same time.

Traffic in the river was to have been suspended for three days in August while the main pieces were lifted into place by a floating crane, but this has yet to happen.

Tim Wigglesworth, principal property officer at Hull Council, said it was hoped the project would now be completed in February. He said: “There are a number of reasons for the hold up on the bridge. Because of the spending review we’ve been working with Yorkshire Forward to unlock investment which will ensure we keep to the promise that all elements of the bridge will be completed at the same time – the bridge itself, the landscaping on either side of the river bank, and the boardwalk.”

The bridge, which will have eye-catching lighting displays and will open to the sound of a waterfall, is being constructed by Barnsley firm Qualter Hall based on a concept by architects McDowell and Benedetti.