Drypool Bridge
Initial works began on-site in July 2025, with construction activity focused on the south side of the bridge. A contraflow system was introduced to allow two-way traffic to continue during this phase. This will remain in place until Sunday 14 September.
To progress the next stage of the programme Drypool Bridge will be fully closed to all vehicles and pedestrians from Monday 15 September to late-November 2025.
The works will include -
- de-silting the area below the east-fixed span of the bridge, behind and around the timber fenders and support columns
- concrete repairs of the lower reinforced concrete supporting beams and columns to the east-fixed span
- bearing replacement on the east-fixed span of the bridge
- a new cathodic protection system to resist future corrosion to the existing beams and columns
- waterproofing of the deck to ensure the long-term resilience of the structure
Mitigation measures
To support residents, commuters, and visitors during the closure, we are implementing the range of measures below.
Using AI
In March last year, we bolstered our efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic management in the city through the trial use of AI technology.
Conducted in collaboration with leading AI company Simplifai, an initial AI-powered traffic management pilot in Hull showed a significant reduction in traffic congestion during peak hours on Anlaby Road by 16% during the AM peak and 8% during the PM peak.
The system, which uses AI to adjust traffic light timings to help alleviate congestion hot spots to improve traffic flow, safety and sustainability within the city, was funded by the Department for Transport and has since been rolled out to other areas of the city.
During the closure of Drypool Bridge, the technology will be used to improve traffic signal timings and assist journeys at -
- Witham / Cleveland Street junction
- Holderness Road / Dansom Lane
- Great Union Street / St Peter’s Street
We will also introduce a temporary signal configuration at Clarence Street / Great Union Street to include new right turn signals to assist right turning vehicles following diversions onto the A63.
An intelligent ‘bus priority detector’, with a temporary traffic signal configuration to run the signals in priority for busses leaving the city centre will also be trialled on Alfred Gelder Street / Lowgate.
Bus Gate
We are temporarily amending the operating area of the city centre Bus Gate to ensure the continued reliability of services during Drypool Bridge’s closure.
The Bus Gate will be in operation from Guildhall Road to Dock Street, east bound only, and will prohibit vehicles from entering other than those authorised, including -
- buses
- cycles
- motorcycles
- taxis
- emergency vehicles
- hackney carriages
This will be in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
General traffic will need to divert around the area via Wilberforce Drive / George Street and vice versa, depending on direction of travel.
Temporary Holderness Road Park and Ride
To encourage those considering the option to -
- park and ride
- park and stride
during the closure of Drypool Bridge, we have also created a temporary car park for over 300 vehicles. Initially, there will be 201 standard spaces and 11 disabled parking spaces, on the former Evans Halshaw car dealership on Holderness Road, with the opportunity to provide 94 additional spaces subject to demand.
The site, which is a 17-minute walk to the nearest crossing point at North Bridge, also has nearby bus stops with a number of services running in and out of the city centre, on average, every two minutes.
The services that operate past the site, include -
- Stagecoach East Midlands
- Services 8, 8C, 11, 11A, 12, 12A, 13, 14, 15, 33, 33C, 34, 40, 110, 111
- East Yorkshire
- Services 56 and 57
The car park will be free of charge, with a discounted fare of £2 return available on both East Yorkshire and Stagecoach East Midlands services.
For full service information, including a map of the park and ride route visit the Stagecoach website. There is further information on the East Yorkshire website or you can download the operators’ apps, available on both Apple and Android.
The Holderness Road Park and Ride car park will be open Monday to Sunday, 7am to 8pm.
Priory Park and Ride
The Priory Park and Ride offers 650 free car parking spaces with regular bus services provided by Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses transporting people to the city centre and back.
East Yorkshire runs peak-hour journeys, from -
- 6.30am to 9am and 2.30pm to 6pm from the park and ride
- 6.20am to 8.20am and 1.50pm to 6.20pm from Hull Paragon Interchange
as a contract service Monday to Friday, with Stagecoach running the off-peak services, Monday to Friday, as well as all Saturday services.
Download the park and ride timetable and route map
This scheme is not only about restoring the bridge’s structural integrity, but also about ensuring it remains a safe and reliable transport link for residents, commuters, and visitors.
Additional limited closures are expected next year, with the full programme scheduled for completion in Summer 2026.
For the latest traffic updates follow Hull CC News on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook. Alternatively, access Causeway one.network.
For weekly traffic and travel updates, access Hull CC News.
Drypool Bridge is a single-leaf bascule Scherzer rolling bridge It originally opened in 1961, replacing the 1889 swing bridge.
Following a routine inspection in April 2024, several load-bearing columns supporting Drypool Bridge on Clarence Street were found to be in a significant state of deterioration.
In response, we have been working closely with Esh Construction Limited and Mason Clark Associates to develop a comprehensive design, repair, and strengthening scheme.
Following the receipt of a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) licence in June, the contractors will begin setting up the site compound on the former Rank Hovis site from Monday 7 July 2025, in preparation for the major repair works on the bridge.