Hull City Council has appointed Mason Clark Associates, a Hull-based engineering consultancy, to start the next phase of restoration works on the Grade II-listed Sculcoates Bridge, known locally as Chapman Street Bridge.
Originally opened in 1874, the bridge has been closed to motorists since March 2020, after an inspection found that its condition had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer safe to carry modern day traffic and was at risk of collapse.
The refurbishment of the bridge has been split into three phases. Hull City Council have completed phase one of the works, which involved feasibility, concept design and early engagement.
The recent appointment of Mason Clark Associates will help the council to start the second phase of the project. To support the council, Mason Clark Associates will focus on gaining technical approval, offering contractual support, and developing the technical scope for a future design and build contract.
Mason Clark Associates will also begin formal engagement with key stakeholders including the Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency, Historic England, and the authority’s planning department, to help start the technical design phase.
Phase two, design and full engagement, and phase three, building works to refurbish and bring the bridge back into use, will follow once this preliminary work is complete.
Having previously supported the project through inspections, feasibility studies, and phase one technical input, Mason Clark Associates bring extensive knowledge of the structure to this project.
This appointment is a key step in the council’s five-year infrastructure plan, which aims to reopen the bridge to traffic, improving connectivity across the River Hull.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure said: “Our transport infrastructure is vital, and we are committed to bringing Chapman Street Bridge back into use to help ease traffic across the city.
“Residents want this, we’ve listened, and we’re working to make it happen. It’s part of our wider commitment to fixing the city’s infrastructure.”
Andy Thompson, director of bridges at Mason Clark Associates said: “As a local specialist bridge engineering consultant with extensive knowledge of the structure, we’re excited to be working on this historic Grade II-listed bridge and proud to support its return to safe public use.”
For more information about the council’s five-year infrastructure programme, and to keep up-to-date with ongoing projects, visit Infrastructure maintenance programme | Bridges and structures | Hull
