Carr Lane will be closed to buses for four months as vital work to reconstruct the damaged carriageway takes place as part of Hull City Council's major public realm programme.

 

From Sunday 6 March, the closure will restrict access to vehicles, including buses, however access for pedestrians to businesses will be maintained.

 

Temporary traffic signs will be put in place for the bus diversions on Anne Street, which will have its one-way system reversed to travel northbound for the duration of the works. Most Anlaby Road and Hessle Road bound bus services will use this route including 1, 2, 66, 151/2/3/4/5, 60, 60A, 61, 62, 64 and 35.

 

Services X55/6/7, 57, 350 1D/1E buses will operate direct from the Interchange.

 

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, with responsibility for highways and transport, said:  "The reconstruction of this road on a sound foundation that will last for many years is an essential element of the public realm improvements.

 

"As the city embarks on its biggest transformation for many years and, with tight timescales to adhere to, some disruption is to be expected.

 

“We are working hard to support businesses through these periods, with Hull BID and with dedicated Public Liaison Officers employed by Eurovia, acting as a point of contact for all retailers and businesses affected by the work. We are also installing additional signage in areas to signal that businesses are open as usual.

 

“We have also been working closely with the bus companies to establish the best means of continuing to maintain accessible and reliable services for bus passengers.”

 

Once completed, Carr Lane will be paved with high-quality granite and light-coloured, contemporary surfacing. A digital bus shelter, with real time travel information, the first of its kind in the city, will replace the existing out-dated design at Monument Bridge. Bus users are also encouraged to download the Traveline app for real-time bus updates for across the city.

 

Councillor Mancey added: “We will continue to work closely with the bus companies, city centre residents and businesses during these difficult times, and I would like to thank them for their patience as we continue to transform the appearance and attractiveness of our city centre."

 

EYMS Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Shipp, said: “The disruption for our customers is unfortunate, but by working closely with the City Council we will be able to use temporary stops as close as possible to the usual points, and we will encourage passengers from the Old Town area of the city centre to catch buses to the Interchange and change to their usual service there.”

 

Stagecoach East Midlands Commercial Manager, Jon Donnelly, said: “The redevelopment of the city centre is important for the future prosperity and economic growth of the city.  Disruption is inevitable but we continue to work with Hull City Council to minimise the inconvenience for bus passengers accessing the Old Town area.

 

“The alternative stop at Anne Street and the high frequency of buses between the Old Town and the Interchange should encourage passengers to continue to visit the area whilst the work is ongoing.

 

“It will be worth it in the end!”

 

The works will be carried by Eurovia, Hull City Council’s public realm contractor, who host weekly drop-in sessions held in Princes Quay every Tuesday, 12-2pm.

 

A spokesperson from Eurovia said: “The Carr Lane carriageway is particularly narrow between the City Hall and Alfred Gelder Street, where the high concentration of vehicle movements has destroyed the original road structure.  Whilst the road has been patched a number of times, it is now necessary to construct deep layers of foundations to ensure a long design life for the new roadway.

 

“We will be working hard to ensure that this is work is done quickly and efficiently, and once completed, these works will last for many years and require minimal maintenance during that time.”
 

Full details of the temporary arrangements are in a leaflet published by the operators and Hull City Council which is available from the Interchange Travel Offices. They can also be found on the operators websites www.eyms.co.uk and www.stagecoachbus.com or by calling EYMS on 01482 592929 or Stagecoach on 01482 222333.