Many of the city’s busiest routes will see investment
Freetown Way will return to having two lanes of traffic in each direction(Image: Hull City Council)
Hull City Council’s recently approved Highways Capital programme has allocated funding to many of the city’s key roads and bridges. After the council’s cabinet approved the near-£100m multi-year programme, here are some of the main elements of the planned works.
The programme sets a number of major investments into Hull‘s highways network over the 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29 financial years. The programme is backed by funding from the Government’s Department for Transport and the council itself.
Freetown Way – £7.7m
One of the most high-profile schemes within the programme is the work on Freetown Way which will see the major city centre route returning to two lanes of traffic in each direction. The works will also include the introduction of CYCLOPS-style (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) junctions at Blundell’s Corner and Witham. In preparation for the works, sections of the road have been narrowed.
A report to the council’s cabinet sets out the funding each scheme has allocated over the three financial years. The Freetown Way scheme’s £7.7m is only split across the first two years with £4.8m in 2026/27 and £2.9m in 2027/28.
Drypool Bridge – £3m
Repair work to Drypool Bridge will continue this year despite the two-month closure in late 2025. Another 8-week closure is set to take place in the coming weeks.
The council says that, subject to any unforeseen issues, it will be the last planned full closure of the bridge. Paul Allen, Senior Project Manager at Esh Construction, said: “During the next closure, we will carry out essential works on the bridge’s west span and the east approach. This includes cathodic protection, further concrete repairs, waterproofing, and resurfacing.”
Funding is only allocated to the bridge in the current financial year. £3m is allocated to the scheme.
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Victoria Pier – £4.4m
The programme includes £4.4m being allocated to the demolition and replacement of Victoria Pier. The structure on the Humber Estuary has been closed to the public since 2022 when inspections found it to be in a poor condition.
The council has committed to replacing it with a new pier once the current structure is removed. A consultation has been launched over the design of the replacement structure. Three outline designs have been developed by Mason Clark Associates. £1m is allocated for the 2026/27 year, whilst the remaining £3.4m is allocated for 2027/28.
Kingswood roundabouts – £11m
Two phases of improvements to roundabouts in the Kingswood area are included in the programme. Phase 1 involves improvements to both the Thomas Clarkson Way/Ennerdale and the Wawne Road/Bude Road junctions. The improvements to both roundabouts seek to provide the highway network with additional capacity whilst improving cycle lane infrastructure. Work on this phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Phase 2 sees attention being turned to Roebank Roundabout where Raich Carter Way and Thomas Clarkson Way meet. Work on Phase 2 is expected to begin in early 2027.
The programme also includes improvement and maintenance works at a number of other roads, bridges, and structures across the city.
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal .