£22m bridge completion delayed by Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak has delayed the completion of a £22m footbridge in Hull.

The A63 Castle Street crossing was meant to open in May. However, Highways England has now said it will be ready for use in the summer.

An order of granite needed for the structure has been hit by the closure of quarries in China – the country worst affected by the illness.

The BBC has reported that the stone will now have to be sourced from mines in Portugal instead.

James Leeming, from Highways England, said the decision to switch to a different source was made following discussions with suppliers.

He added: “If that’s an issue in China, we need to find an alternative way to get material here from Europe and that’s what we have managed to do. I think we’ve done the right thing.”

The 197 ft (60m) long structure will connect the city centre with the marina, and spans one of Hull’s busiest roads.