Work to start knocking down 'Banksy' bridge in Hull this month

Contractors have been appointed to dismantle a historic Hull bridge which had a Banksy mural sprayed on it.
By Alexandra Wood
Published 31st Mar 2020, 17:00 BST
The Scott Street bridge is finally set to be demolished this month Picture: Terry CarrottThe Scott Street bridge is finally set to be demolished this month Picture: Terry Carrott
The Scott Street bridge is finally set to be demolished this month Picture: Terry Carrott

A structural survey concluded the Grade II listed Scott Street bridge was a hazard to navigation.

Banksy’s Draw The Raised Bridge artwork, which appeared in 2018, and was later posted on Banksy’s official Instagram page, was cut off one of the decks of the bridge last year and put into secure storage.

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Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for economic investment and regeneration, said: “Following the successful removal of the Banksy, we can now proceed with the rest of the dismantling of Scott Street Bridge.

The Banksy stencil appeared on the bridge in 2018 Picture: Tom Maddick / SWNS.comThe Banksy stencil appeared on the bridge in 2018 Picture: Tom Maddick / SWNS.com
The Banksy stencil appeared on the bridge in 2018 Picture: Tom Maddick / SWNS.com

“Our ambition is to rebuild a replica of Scott Street Bridge during phase two of the works and we can only do this with the help of specialist contractors.

“It will be a complex operation, but we want to ensure that the process is handled as sensitively as possible.”

The Banksy remains in secure storage and options for its restoration are being discussed.

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Scott Street Bridge closed to traffic in 1994, due to its extremely poor structural and mechanical condition.

The Banksy mural was removed from the brisge last year by council workersThe Banksy mural was removed from the brisge last year by council workers
The Banksy mural was removed from the brisge last year by council workers

Since then, the bridge has remained in the raised, upright position.

Engineers found the transverse girders of the the 117-year-old structure to be "on the point of failure" and warned that even a bridge strike of "minor proportions" could lead to "complete failure" of the bridge leaf.

Eric Wright Group will begin work to the bridge in April.

A decision record published on Hull Council’s website last year estimated that it would cost the taxpayer around £1.1m to dismantle the bridge.

Related topics:BanksyWorkHullGrade IIInstagram

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