Following the completion of detailed design work, Hull City Council has today (Thursday 14 August) published tender documents to secure a contractor to deliver a scheme for Freetown Way that would see a return to two lanes of traffic and a focus on off-road cycling.
The council aims to appoint a contractor as soon as possible, with a date of late October planned, and wants work on site to start before the end of the year.
The scheme will see the footways on both sides of Freetown Way widened, between Witham and Blundell’s Corner, to accommodate safe, off-road cycle tracks, providing separated areas for both people cycling and pedestrians.
Freetown Way will also revert to two lanes in each direction on the highway.
The scheme will 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.
The scheme, which is part-funded by an allocation from Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund (ATF), is one of two active travel initiatives that the council will be delivering in the city, with the other planned for Preston Road.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “As a council, we said we would listen. Our residents told us that they wanted Freetown Way to be turned back to two lanes of traffic and that they wanted more off-road cycling. We’re doing that job.
“This is a significant investment in one of Hull’s busiest routes and is designed to help people travel across the city—whether by bike, by car or on foot.
“We’d like to thank our residents, businesses and communities for providing feedback and helping us develop a scheme that works for everyone.
“As soon as we have a contractor appointed, we look forward to getting straight to work.”
The tender has been published through the YORcivil3 – North and East Framework.
