Stretch of A63 near Myton Bridge shuts in first of six full weekend closures

A stretch of the A63 in Hull is shut both ways until Monday morning in the first of a series of full weekend closures.

Major refurbishment works at Myton Swing Bridge mean a number of closures are due to take place over the coming weeks, including six weekends. Earlier this week, National Highways confirmed it would use some of the upcoming closures to carry out works on the A63 Castle Street project too in order to reduce the impact on residents and drivers.

The first phase of work began last night (Friday, June 23), with the bridge now fully closed until 5am on Monday. The closure includes more than a mile of the A63 from the Daltry Street roundabout to the junction with Great Union Street and Plimsoll Way.

On Twitter, Hull City Council has urged residents to "consider using alternative forms of transport" if possible and advised people to plan their journeys around the city centre and A63 in advance.

The weekend closures will continue from 7pm on Fridays until 5am on Mondays, right through until Monday, July 31.

In addition, there will be overnight closures on certain dates, active from 8pm and 6am. National Highways has advised drivers of the need for the bridge closures during June and July, to allow for the replacement of bearings.

It is part of a major programme of work on the structure, which carries the A63 over the River Hull. The bridge will also undergo resurfacing, bridge joint work, waterproofing and barrier and lighting improvements.

Elvis Agbodo, National Highways project manager, said: “Myton Bridge is now in its fifth decade and like all structures, it needs maintenance to keep traffic running on it smoothly and safely. The scheme will improve safety and help to reduce the number of unplanned repairs on the bridge in the future.”

Fully signed diversions will be in place which have been agreed in advance with the local authority and police. The diversion routes have been planned to consider residents and height and weight restrictions on local roads.

Mr Agbodo said: “We’re aware that these routes will extend journey times, but we need to ensure that diversions are suitable for all vehicles, including motorway traffic."

Mr Agbodo added: “We’ve worked closely with colleagues to plan and co-ordinate the works to minimise any disruption. However, we do apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and ask customers and transport managers to plan more time for journeys and deliveries.”

Overnight closures

To carry out the work safely, National Highways will need to close Myton Bridge overnight, eastbound, and westbound, Monday to Thursday between 8pm and 6am on these dates:

  • Monday, June 26 to Thursday, June 29, reopening Friday, June 30
  • Monday, July 3 to Thursday, July 6, reopening on Friday, July 7
  • Monday, July 10 to Thursday, July 13, reopening on Friday, July 14
  • Monday, July 17 to Thursday, July 20, reopening on Friday, July 21

Weekend closures

In addition, the work on the bearings will mean the bridge will need to be closed over six full weekends from Friday evening at 7pm until Monday morning at 5am

  • Friday, June 23 to Monday, June 26
  • Friday, June 30 to Monday, July 3
  • Friday, July 7 to Monday, July 10
  • Friday, July 14 to Monday, July 17
  • Friday, July 21 to Monday, July 24
  • Friday, July 28 to Monday, July 31

Diversions

Eastbound local traffic (not suitable for HGVs) – at Daltry Street roundabout, turn left onto Rawling Way, onto Anlaby Road, A1079 Ferensway, A165 Freetown Way, onto Holderness Road, onto Mount Pleasant and Mount Pleasant roundabout to re-join the A63/A1033.

Motorway traffic, eastbound – take the off slip for the A15 onto Wingfield Farm roundabout onto the A164, continue and join the A1079, onto A1033 Raich Carter Way, Thomas Clarkson Way, Sutton Road, Ings Road, Marfleet Lane, joining the A1033 at Marfleet roundabout.

For drivers located off A63 Clive Sullivan Way, first travel westbound and onto the A15 to join the diversion at Wingfield Farm roundabout.

Westbound traffic will follow the same diversion but in reverse.

The full programme of improvements is due to complete in autumn. Further updates will be shared on the National Highways Myton Swing Bridge web page[2].

References

  1. ^ New road safety measures planned for Hull's Old Town after Rebecca Kirby's tragic death (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ National Highways Myton Swing Bridge web page (nationalhighways.co.uk)