A programme of advanced works will get underway on Freetown Way from early April to prepare one of Hull’s busiest routes for a major investment that will see the return of two lanes of traffic in each direction as well as the development of off-road cycling facilities.
Hull City Council has appointed Balfour Beatty to make a start on the scheme, with initial works including the removal of cycle wands currently on the carriageway and appropriate traffic management put in place.
In addition, this phase of works will include:
- surface water drainage surveys
- cross-carriageway ducting
- site compound setup
- ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys to identify utilities
- trial strips to check for utilities
- erection of advance works signs.
The advanced works follow on from the council identifying Balfour Beatty as its preferred contractor, in December, as well as the completion of localised enabling work along the route to divert various utilities, including electricity and fibreoptics, in January.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “We said that we would listen to our residents, and we have. They told us that they wanted Freetown Way turned back to two lanes of traffic and that they wanted more off-road cycling facilities and that is exactly what we are doing.
“We appreciate how eagerly anticipated this scheme has been, so appointing Balfour Beatty to deliver these advanced works is an important milestone.
“We are also aware of how vitally important it is that these works are planned well so that we can keep any potential disruption to a minimum, especially given the fact we have other important schemes ongoing on the city’s highway network, such as the council’s repair and strengthening works on Drypool Bridge and the soon-to-be-complete A63 improvements by National Highways.”
In addition to returning Freetown Way to its previous configuration, the scheme will also see the footways on both sides of the road widened, between Witham and Blundell’s Corner, to accommodate safe, off-road cycle tracks, providing separated areas for both people cycling and pedestrians.
The scheme, which is part-funded by an allocation from Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund, will also see cycle-optimised protected signals (CYCLOPS) junctions installed at Blundell’s Corner and Witham, as well as Freetown Way’s junctions with Wright Street, Charles Street, Caroline Street / Worship Street and George Street.
For regular updates on this scheme, visit the Travel Hull website or follow Travel Hull on X and Facebook.