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Tuesday 3 Jan 2017

Vital bridge upgrade to begin in Hull

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail is reminding road users in Hull that vital improvement work will begin on a bridge over the railway close to Hull Paragon next week.

Park Street, which spans the tracks that go in and out of the station, will be closed from January 9 until March 28 so that the bridge can be strengthened and the 7.5-tonne weight restriction, which was imposed in 2000, can be lifted.

The work, part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, was originally scheduled to take place last October but was rescheduled to January in order to not clash with Hull Fair.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project with clearly signposted diversions in place, with access to the Tesco car park at St Stephens and the Transport Interchange coach park maintained throughout.

Paul Wright, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “Park Street bridge was built in 1938 and is now in need of investment to keep both the road and rail networks reliable. While we apologise for any inconvenience the road closure causes, the bridge work has been planned to cause the minimum amount of disruption for the shortest amount of time and we have worked alongside Hull City Council throughout the scheme.”

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said: “Park Street Bridge in its current condition is not fit for purpose and these works will not only increase the existing weight limit, but reduce traffic in Ferensway and make pedestrian access into the Interchange much safer and easier. 

“These improvements to the city’s highways network play an important role in helping to reduce congestion and support economic regeneration through improving sustainable accessibility for all modes of transport around the city.”