Hull receives £160m investment

HULL and East Yorkshire has welcomed a £160m investment which will upgrade the key route into the city.

Treasury Secretary, Danny Alexander, announced the £160m upgrade to Castle Street yesterday.

Councillor Martin Mancey, portfolio holder for energy city including the responsibility of economic regeneration and strategic highways, said: “We are delighted with the news and we can now move forward with the Highways Agency to improve this important road that will make a huge difference to the economy, local businesses, regeneration of the city as well as helping our aims to improve the city as a visitor destination.

“The announcement will also support Hull’s City Plan and to help harness all Hull’s assets to become the leading UK Energy City.”

In addition to these plans, a proposed new iconic pedestrian bridge over Castle Street joining the city centre and Fruit Market together.

Peter Aarosin, chair of Hull and East Yorkshire Bondholders and founding member of the Humber Port partnership said: “Investments such as this £160m upgrade to the A63 at Castle Street, a key route to the port of Hull, is crucial in order for us to sustain the Humber’s competitiveness and unlock future investments.

“The Humber is the UK’s Energy Estuary and has the country’s busiest port complex. We continue to see businesses invest in the Humber because of our connectivity. 

“Relieving congestion on the roads to the port is an important part in attracting investment onto those sites.

“The Castle Street upgrade also presents the opportunity to link Hull city centre with the Marina and Fruit Market area, which are vital for development of the city’s cultural and visitor economy.”