‘While we recognise that this closure will cause inconvenience for pedestrians who use this route, public safety must come first’
Councillors have said they need to put people’s safety first as investigations continue(Image: Hull City Council)
A footpath in Hull will be closed for months to allow for further safety inspections. A new route for walkers will be put in place, after Hull City Council approved the closure.
Public footpath No. 28 at Albert Dock is expected to be shut for up to six months. It follows an application from Associated British Ports (ABP) for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. The footpath, between the junction of Wellington Street and a point adjacent to Dunston’s Ship Repairs, is an important one for both Hull residents and visitors to the city. It forms part of both the Trans Pennine Trail and the King Charles III England Coast Path. Hull City Council granted the closure under Section 14 of the Highways Act 1980. This follows the temporary closure of the footpath by ABP due to safety concerns on Friday, August 28. This temporary closure will enable ABP, the landowner, to carry out the necessary investigations into the safety of the footpath and consider the appropriate next steps.
An ABP spokesperson underlined the fact that the safety of walkers had to come first. He said: “Safety is a core value for ABP. Following specialist engineering advice, we have taken the decision to temporarily close the footpath as a precaution. We are working closely with all relevant parties to assess the options and agree the appropriate next steps.”
A signed diversion route is available via Manor House Street, Kingston Street, English Street, Jackson Street, Daltry Street, Clive Sullivan Way, Strickland Street footbridge, Goulton Street, West Dock Street, Subway Street and Public Footpath No. 27, or vice versa depending on the direction of travel.
Cllr Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, admitted the potential impact of a six-month closure was far from ideal.
“While we recognise that this closure will cause inconvenience for pedestrians who use this route, public safety must come first,” he said.
“That is why we have agreed to ABP’s request to temporarily close this section of the footpath while they carry out the necessary investigations and consider next steps. We would like to thank residents and users of the route for their patience and understanding while this work is undertaken.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
Pedestrians are urged to follow the signed diversion route and check for updates from the local authority about a 2027 reopening.
To find planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.