Road improvement ‘crucial’ to city’s future

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited Hull yesterday to see the problems on the A63 at Castle Street, a dual carriageway that links the docks and city centre and is the main route to the M62.

It carries about 35,000 vehicles a day, but is often congested and has long been considered a barrier to investment and economic growth in the city.

However, Hull West and Hessle Labour MP Alan Johnson, who accompanied Mr McLoughlin on his visit, said it was vital that any improvements also included an “iconic” land bridge over the A63 to properly connect the city centre with the marina and waterfront.

Mr Johnson, who believes the scheme would cost £161m, said: “What we are saying is if you do this and don’t get it right and reconnect the city centre with the waterfront, then you’ll come back and have a problem you’ll have to resolve in another 10 years time.”

The MP said the need for the new road bridge was demonstrated by the temporary closure of Castle Street to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of spectators when Hull was the host port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2009-10.

The city also hopes to build a new cruise terminal on the Humber to create a permanent home for the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.

Mr Johnson said the scheme was “absolutely crucial to the plans (council leader) Steve Brady and the city council have for the future of this city, and I think Patrick McLoughlin recognised that today”.

The Highways Agency said it expected to begin public consultation on detailed proposals this summer.

The so-called “cut and cover” scheme would see Castle Street lowered to run under a new bridge between Ferensway and Commercial Road.

Mr McLoughlin also visited the A164 to see the completion of £10m of improvements between the Humber Bridge and Beverley.