‘Good progress’ is being made on Freetown Way scheme, the council said
The works on Wright Street’s junction with Freetown Way in Hull(Image: Hull City Council)
Hull City Council has announced a temporary road closure as part of the Freetown way scheme. Works on the Wright Street junction will see the creation of “new cycling and pedestrian facilities” and will eventually restore two lanes of traffic in the area.
The junction will close for an expected four months while the work is carried out, starting from Monday, October 19. The street will be closed until March 2027.
The council said a signed diversion will be in place via George Street, Bond Street and Albion Street. For left turning vehicles into Wright Street, the diversion will be via Ferensway, Spencer Street and Prospect Street.
Hull-based company PBS Construction started the works last month. Construction has initially focused on the southern footway between Wright Street and Pryme Street.
The existing footway has been fully excavated and work to the carriageway to prepare the area for the installation of drainage connections and new kerb lines is underway. Freetown Way will continue to have narrow lanes “to help reduce the impact on traffic”.
The council asked motorists not to overtake people cycling in the area being worked on. It also announced the southern footway of Freetown Way, from Pryme Street to Wright Street, will remain closed.
For safety, pedestrians are urged to follow the short diversions in place and to use the signalled crossing points at Blundell’s Corner and Charles Street to cross the road. Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “Since construction started in September, good progress has been made and we are now moving on to an important part of the scheme at Wright Street.
“Freetown Way is one of the city’s key routes, and this investment will restore two lanes of traffic in each direction while also providing improved facilities for people walking and cycling. We recognise that closing Wright Street while this work takes place will cause some disruption, particularly for people who regularly travel through this part of the city.
“We will work with the contractor to keep that disruption to a minimum and make sure clear diversions and traffic management are in place. I’d like to thank residents, businesses and everyone travelling through the area for their patience while we get this work done.”
The council will begin accepting bids from contractors at the end of the month, while this phase of work is underway. Bids for the remaining works in the scheme at this point “will enable swift progress to continue being made”, the council said.
It is anticipated that the council will appoint a contractor for the rest of the scheme early in the New Year. For further information about the investment in Freetown Way, visit the Travel Hull page.