HULL City Council has confirmed that repair and strengthening works on the iconic Drypool Bridge over the River Hull have begun with Esh Construction and Mason Clark Associates leading the project, reports Alison Alderton.
Following the receipt of a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) licence, the contractors started setting up the works compound on the former Rank Hovis site in July in preparation for the major repair works on the Scherzer rolling bascule bridge which, after a routine inspection in April 2024, was found to have significant deterioration to its load-bearing columns.
Initial construction activity will concentrate on the south side of the bridge, involving the removal of footpath railings, surfacing and partial carriageway and kerb sections. To enable these works, and to manage traffic flow and minimise disruption, a contraflow system has been introduced allowing two-way traffic to continue during the first phase of works. The footpath linking St Peter Street and Clarence Street will also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists.
Coun Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said: “Fixing Hull’s roads and infrastructure is a top priority for the council. That’s why we have a real plan to invest in the city’s bridges. Drypool Bridge has served Hull for generations and this repair programme is vital to making sure it remains a safe, reliable route for residents.”
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: “A significant amount of work has gone on behind the scenes during the early contractor involvement (ECI) phase, therefore we are pleased to reach this latest milestone. We look forward to repairing and preserving this important structure for future generations.”
Andy Thompson, director of bridges at Mason Clark Associates, said: “After over a year of design, and having completed extensive investigations and consultations to gain all the necessary permits to undertake the works, it is great that work will be starting on strengthening this structure. Mason Clark Associates are looking forward to working closely with Hull City Council and Esh Construction to deliver this scheme.”
The second phase of works will involve repair and strengthening works, which will require a full closure of the bridge for motorists, pedestrians and river traffic. Details of this, including the full programme and anticipated bridge closure timelines, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Drypool Bridge, designed by Hull engineer W Morris and built in the city, was opened in 1961, replacing a previous swing bridge dating from 1889. For many years it was painted blue but when Hull gained the title of UK City of Culture 2017, it was transformed when it was painted to a design by artist Sarah Daniels consisting of large green and yellow circles in celebration of John Venn, the mathematician and philosopher. Born in the nearby village of Drypool in 1834, John Venn went on to invent the Venn Diagram, still used today by mathematicians, statisticians and others, which forms the basis for Daniels’ design.
