On Monday 11 September, Emma Hardy MP, Hull West and Hessle, met with Highways England in Parliament to discuss a safe crossing over Castle Street.
Both highways England and Hull City Council accept there is a safety case for bringing the building of a bridge forward. They also accept that the crossing has caused additional traffic issues for the city because of the increased popularity of the Humber Street development and the City of Culture events.
Highways England reported that their officers had met with Hull City Council who would prefer to bring building a permanent bridge forward. This is because planning is already approved for a permanent bridge and extra time would be needed to secure planning for a temporary bridge and they would be able to use the £4 million promised by the LEP.
Bringing forward the building of the permanent bridge would have implications on the cost of the overall project and Highways England would need to ensure that building it early wouldn’t impact on the Castle Street project.
In mid-October Highways England will be making the case for some funds allocated to the Castle Street project to be released early to enable the permanent bridge as quickly as possible.
Emma will be meeting again with Highways England after their mid-October meeting for an update on the bridge.
Emma Hardy MP said,
“During busy events the impact of the crossing on traffic, and the increased risk to pedestrian safety, concern me greatly. If we can’t have the Castle Street project brought forward then my priority is to secure the construction of a bridge, whether temporary or permanent, as soon as possible.
“I will continue to press Highways England until this issue is resolved and there is a suitable resolution that will benefit the people of Hull West and Hessle.”
