Government funding has been secured by Hull City Council to return Freetown Way to two lanes of traffic by installing safe, off-road cycle lanes.
The footpath on both sides of Freetown Way will be widened between Witham and Blundell’s Corner to accommodate a safe, off-road cycle path, providing a segregated area for both cyclists and pedestrians.
Two lanes of traffic will be reinstated in both directions by removing the bollards and the current cycle lanes.
Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “We have been working for the last year to secure funding for new cycle infrastructure that will allow us to also restore two lanes of traffic on Freetown Way and it’s great news that we have been successful.
“This is a win-win for everyone – two lanes of traffic to keep the city’s roads moving and safe, off-road cycle paths to encourage cycling.
“When we asked residents’ views last summer in our major Traffic and Transport Survey, we promised to listen to what residents told us. Now we’re taking action to do what residents have asked.”
This scheme is one of several in Hull benefitting from £8.857m from the Government Active Travel funding from Active Travel England after bids were submitted by Hull City Council in January 2023.
The schemes are:
*£8.495m from ATF3 to deliver two schemes on:
- Freetown Way – returning the carriageway to two lanes in each direction
- Preston Road
*£362,000 from ATF4 to:
1. Progress a parallel crossing on Anlaby Park Road
2. Progressing designs for upgrading of road cycle routes on Foredyke Stream and the Trans Pennine Trail
3. Progressing designs for a new off-road cycle route on Clough Road
The council will now be procuring the work and further design work will happen over the summer and autumn.
Drop-in sessions and online opportunities for residents to find out more will be confirmed as the designs are progressed and refined.
The works are likely to start on site early in 2024 subject to relevant approvals being in place.
