Gas main repairs to bring more misery for motorists

DRIVERS in Hull face more disruption with a city centre road and bridge closing today for nearly two weeks for gas main repairs.

George Street and North Bridge will be shut for “critical” works to mend a 36-metre-long gas main, with signed diversions in place.

The Northern Gas Works (NGN) scheme is expected to finish by April 30, with Hull Council saying works in Woodhall Street, taking place under the Stoneferry Corridor scheme, have been suspended until the gas repairs finish.

It follows widespread gridlock last week as more drivers took to the roads after lockdown restrictions eased, coinciding with a number of ongoing roadworks, including the £355m upgrade of the A63.

According to satnav firm TomTom, Hull was the country’s most congested city, with drivers taking an average of 61 per cent extra travel time, nearly double that of London.

Hull Council said it had looked at alternatives with NGN, but owing to the safety critical nature of the work, it had to be done immediately.

As well as fewer people using public transport, the severance of the city centre caused by the A63 works was having an impact and would do for another four or five years, said assistant director for major projects Garry Taylor.

He said the council had spoken to the Department for Transport and Highways England, but NGN was “being chased” by the Health and Safety Executive “because it is identified as high risk”.

“If we delay the work it only delays it to another day,” he said.

Hull Council delivered a £24m programme last year – around three times more than usual – for roads maintenance and improvements, while the utility firms have all had funding to upgrade their creaking networks.