Congestion fears over Drypool Bridge closure
REPAIRS: Drypool Bridge
EXCLUSIVE
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Drypool Bridge is to close for at least two months for urgent repairs costing an estimated £8m.
The bridge will close to all traffic – pedestrian, vehicle and river – on Monday, September 15 until “mid-to-late November”, The Hull Story can reveal today.
Hull City Council, which acknowledges the closure will cause “higher levels of congestion”, is implementing a series of temporary mitigation measures to minimise the disruption, including:
A new park and ride service on Holderness Road
The use of AI technology on traffic signals
The extension of the city centre Bus Gate.
Two further closures will be required in 2026.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, city council portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “The nature of the works obviously means that disruption can’t be avoided and there will be higher levels of congestion, but we have put mitigations in place to ensure that we keep that to a minimum.
“It’s really important that residents work with us. We are trying to do the very best job on this bridge, which is an important one for our history and heritage. Residents will benefit in the long term from having fewer closures of this bridge. If they can work with us for two or three months then we’ll all benefit.”
The need for repairs were identified in a routine inspection in April 2024, which found the concrete had blown and started “spalling” – the deterioration of steel causing concrete to crack and potentially break away, resulting in a loss of structural strength.
DAMAGE: Deterioration on a load-bearing column found during an inspection on April 10, 2024. Picture credit: Hull City Council
A more intrusive investigation revealed further defects.
The repairs will include the replacement of beams, bearings and columns, cathodic protection, blasting and repainting, and the waterproofing of the deck.
Once work is completed, no major structural repairs should be needed on the bridge for 60 years.