YP Comment: Listed status is long overdue

IT may lack the medieval grandeur of York Minister, or the beauty of Rievaulx Abbey '“ and is considerably younger than both '“ but the Humber Bridge is now equal in stature having been awarded Grade I listed status.

The bridge deserves this accolade from Historic England. It is one of the great Yorkshire landmarks, a breathtaking sight and engineering marvel, the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1981.

Gaining listed status 36 years to the day since the Queen officially opened it could not have come at a more appropriate moment than midway through Hull’s year as the UK City of Culture.

Its iconic nature has been celebrated as part of the magnificent programme of cultural events which has given Hull such a welcome boost – and the Humber Bridge has become a tourist attraction in itself, which can only help the city’s bold ambitions for the future, economically and culturally.