Hull Bridges Get Decade-Long Lifeline as Council Approves Major Maintenance Plan

Hull, UK— In a significant move to safeguard vital infrastructure and ensure long-term connectivity, Hull City Council’s Cabinet has formally approved a comprehensive 10-year strategy for the maintenance and improvement of the city’s extensive network of bridges.

The newly adopted **Bridge Maintenance and Management Plan** maps out a strategic, prioritised approach to caring for Hull’s 134 highway bridges and major structures over the next decade. This proactive blueprint aims to tackle aging infrastructure, enhance resilience against climate change impacts like flooding, and secure the safe, efficient flow of people and goods across the city.

(Hull Bridges) Why This Plan Matters:

1. **Safety First:** Regular, planned maintenance is crucial for preventing structural deterioration and ensuring bridges remain safe for all users—motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
2. **Economic Lifelines:** Hull’s bridges are arteries for commerce, connecting communities and enabling access to key sites like the Port of Hull. Reliable infrastructure is essential for business and economic growth.
3. **Preventing Costly Crises:** Proactive maintenance is significantly cheaper than emergency repairs following unexpected failures or closures. This plan aims to manage assets cost-effectively over their lifespan.
4. **Future-Proofing:** The plan explicitly considers the growing challenges of climate change, particularly flood resilience, ensuring bridges can withstand future environmental pressures.
5. **Long-Term Vision:** Moving away from reactive fixes, this decade-long strategy provides certainty and allows for efficient budgeting and resource allocation.

What the Plan Involves:

• Systematic Inspections: Regular, detailed assessments of all structures to identify issues early.
• Prioritized Works: Using inspection data and risk assessments to determine which bridges and which types of work (repainting, concrete repairs, bearing replacements, waterproofing, etc.) are most urgent.
• Lifecycle Management: Planning works to extend the functional life of bridges, delaying the need for extremely expensive full replacements where possible.
• Budget Allocation:** While subject to annual council budget approvals, the plan forecasts an average annual investment of **£8.3 million** specifically earmarked for bridge maintenance and improvements.
• Focus on Key Structures: The plan covers all council-maintained highway bridges, including major crossings like **Drypool Bridge** (recently refurbished), Sculcoates Bridge, and numerous smaller but critical structures across the city’s waterways.

Councillor Dean Kirk, Portfolio Holder for Roads, Housing, and Transport, emphasized the importance of the decision: *”Our bridges are fundamental to Hull’s identity and its daily functioning. This approved plan isn’t just about fixing potholes; it’s a strategic, long-term commitment to managing these vital assets responsibly. By investing steadily and predictably in maintenance, we prioritize public safety, minimize disruptive emergency closures, protect our local economy, and ultimately save taxpayers money in the long run. It’s about ensuring Hull’s infrastructure is fit for the future, come rain or high water.”*

The approval follows public reports highlighting the deteriorating condition of some UK bridges. Hull’s proactive stance aims to avoid the kind of sudden closures seen elsewhere, such as the prolonged shutdown of a key footbridge in the city center several years ago, which caused significant disruption.

Looking Ahead:

The adoption of this plan provides a clear framework for Hull’s bridge infrastructure for the next decade. Residents and businesses can expect to see ongoing, planned maintenance programs across the city, designed to minimize disruption through careful scheduling. The council stresses that this structured approach is the most effective way to ensure Hull’s bridges remain safe, operational, and resilient well into the future.

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