Key city centre junction to close for five months

A key junction in Hull city centre will close for five months as part of a major scheme to return a nearby road to two lanes.

The Wright Street junction with Freetown Way will close to traffic from 19 October until March for upgrade work, Hull City Council said.

The work forms part of the Freetown Way scheme, which will restore two lanes in each direction and create new routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo said the authority would work with the contractor to minimise disruption and signed diversion routes would be in place.

Freetown Way was reduced to a single lane in each direction when cycle lanes were introduced in 2020, but critics argued the layout was "not a suitable solution".

Returning the road to two lanes would help relieve congestion in the city centre, Ieronimo said.

Work on the Wright Street junction follows the start of the wider scheme last month, which saw a pathway excavated and drainage preparations take place.

A signed diversion will be in place via George Street, Bond Street and Albion Street.

For left turning vehicles into Wright Street, the diversion will be via Ferensway, Spencer Street and Prospect Street.

The southern footway of Freetown Way, from Pryme Street to Wright Street, remains closed. Pedestrians are urged to follow the diversions in place.

"We recognise that closing Wright Street while this work takes place will cause some disruption, particularly for people who regularly travel through this part of the city," Ieronimo said.

"I'd like to thank residents, businesses and everyone travelling through the area for their patience while we get this work done."

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