As part of Hull City Council’s infrastructure investment programme, Scale Lane Footbridge will temporarily close next month while complex maintenance works are undertaken to improve its reliability.
Following extensive investigations earlier this year, Hull-based consultancy, Mason Clark Associates, on behalf of the council, has developed a specialist maintenance programme to enhance the bridge’s reliability and support its long-term operation.
The works will include the replacement of key connection bolts within the bridge’s swing mechanism. This will improve reliability, supporting a return to routine bridge openings, which are currently limited to essential river traffic and emergency situations.
To help inform future proactive repair and maintenance works, and ensure the bridge continues to operate as intended, engineers will also undertake tests to gather valuable data about how the structure is balanced and performs in service.
The scheme will take place from Tuesday 3 November to Wednesday 18 November 2026.
During this period, the footbridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, reopening in time for the Christmas light switch on in Hull City Centre.
During the closure period a signed diversion will be in place via Millenium Footbridge. In addition, pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to use Drypool Bridge to cross the river.
Linking Scale Lane with Tower Street, the footbridge is a key crossing from east to west, and forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail cycle link to the Ferry Terminal.
With its bespoke design, it is the only moving bridge in the world where people can stay on it as it swings open and has won many prestigious national and international awards.
