Hull City Council’s cabinet are set to review proposals for a five-year investment programme which will preserve the city’s history and help keep it moving.
A report, which represents a shift in the council’s approach by bringing capital spending, maintenance and inspections together to ensure the longevity and conservation of the city’s assets, will be considered on Monday, June 23.
The report follows detailed inspections across Hull, with a focus on bridges, statues and monuments and fountains.
Recommendations include finding and prioritising council schemes in relation to the city’s bridges, including strengthening schemes for Hessle Road Flyover, Sutton Road Bridge, Sutton Road Flyover and North Bridge as well as the replacement of bearings on Ennerdale Bridge, Stoneferry Bridge and Millennium Footbridge.
The council will also look at a new provision to work with specialist contractors to undertake cleaning regimes, structural repairs and general maintenance for statues and monuments.
Other recommendations include ongoing testing, cleaning and maintenance regimes for Hull’s fountains and safety works to Victoria Pier and the River Hull Walkway and exploring feasibility for their replacement.
As well as maintaining and improving Hull’s infrastructure, the proposed programme would support local businesses by prioritising infrastructure works based on improving the network and improving safety, which will help avoid unplanned emergency closures on key routes.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “While the report is subject to cabinet approval, what is being proposed is a long-term plan to fix a number of key highways and infrastructure issues across the city, in a structured and planned way, over the next five years.
“By developing a comprehensive and proactive programme we will not only maintain and enhance the city’s infrastructure, but we will also preserve Hull’s cultural heritage and ensure safe and reliable transport links.
“One of the key areas of this report relates to bridges. Detailed inspections have highlighted the need for repairs and upgrades to these structures which are needed to maintain their use well into the future and to ensure all motorists and members of the travelling public remain safe as they travel in and around our city.
“However, this investment is not just about maintaining infrastructure and preserving history; it’s also about supporting Hull’s economy, helping to provide equal access to opportunities and resources as well as supporting education, training, employment and cultural events.”
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