Busy river road to shut for months as defences are put up

A HESSLE road is to close for three months for works on an £11m tidal flood defence scheme.

Workers are set to close Cliff Road to build the 508 yard-long, three foot-high, glass and concrete Hessle Foreshore Tidal Defence Scheme to protect against tidal surges from the Humber.

The road, which is popular with visitors during the coronavirus lockdown, is due to be closed from 7am on Monday June 22 to allow access for heavy machinery and to keep the site safe.

Access for residents, businesses, emergency services and bin crews will continue as normal.

East Riding Council’s head of infrastructure and facilities Dave Waudby said: “We had previously planned to keep the road open to all traffic during this construction phase, using traffic lights and fencing off the work area.

“Under normal circumstances this would have worked well, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with people at home and children off school, the foreshore and Cliff Road in particular has become an extremely popular destination for day trippers.

“So, unfortunately, because of the large numbers of pedestrians and cars, we are unable to carry on the work safely without closing Cliff Road.

“We don’t wish to discourage residents from enjoying the foreshore.

“We will be signposting alternative parking at the Humber Bridge Country Park and off-road parking on Livingstone Road close to the skate park.

Mr Waudby added: “Both of these car parks are less than 10 minutes’ walk from the foreshore on Cliff Road.”

Meanwhile, Highways England is building a 656-yard barrier on the A63 Clive Sullivan Way. Work began in January.