Bridge detours for Hull hauliers
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by Derren Hayes • Hauliers travelling to and from Hull docks could be forced to make long detours if bridges on two major roads have weight restrictions imposed on them. This is the latest sign that many of Britain's bridges are becoming unsafe for heavy vehicles.
Hull City Council may be forced to put restrictions on the Hessle Road flyover and the Marfleet Lane bridge after both failed recent safety inspections.
Councils are assessing bridges to see if they can handle the 40-tonne trucks that are due to be introduced by the turn of the century. A 38-tonne limit would probably be imposed on the Hull bridges but the council says restrictions may be even tighter.
It says the problem has arisen because of a shortfall in the amount of money it has been given for bridge strengthening work. It believes the Government miscalculated its bridge strengthening grant and hopes it will reassess how much it has to spend. "If there is a shortfall then we will have to bring in weight limits from April," says Mike Dunne, Hull's associate director of technical services.
If restrictions are introduced vehicles could be forced to use quiet side streets in the city centre or a route that is already heavily congested and has a 16ft height limit.
Dunne adds: "There are pockets of industry along these routes that will face economic inconvenience from having to detour."
The Road Haulage Association says these problems will become increasingly common. RHA northern regional director Geoff Dunning warns: "If you put weight restrictions on these roads traffic moves to an alternative route; often through small towns and villages,"