Planned works on city bridge to add another 50 years to its life

Hull City Council’s cabinet has approved the appointment of Esh Construction to deliver a programme of works to futureproof and extend the lifespan of Drypool Bridge, in Clarence Street.

The historic structure has been part of the city’s transport network for generations, but a routine inspection in April 2024 discovered several load-bearing columns under the bridge had significantly deteriorated,

This resulted in a short-term closure to enable emergency repairs to be undertaken and allow the bridge to re-open.

Since then, council engineers have been planning a wider scheme of investment to the full structure, which will guarantee the bridge for 25 years and add a further 50 years to its operational life.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said: “We’re committed to Hull’s bridges, as they play a massively important role in people’s day-to-day lives.

“We know the council must maintain and invest to fix Drypool Bridge and that’s why we’re taking action.

“Now that we’ve approved these next steps, the council will work with our contractor to deliver a scheme that will improve the bridge’s integrity and maintain it as a reliable transport link for decades to come.

“We fully understand the frustration that roadworks can have for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors, but the council needs to step in now to fix this bridge.

“As part of the scheme, we will look to reduce the likely impact that these essential works will have on the city.”

It is anticipated work will start on site in the spring and take approximately six months.