2nd May 2025
Work is to begin on an improvement project for High Street in Hull, marking a key milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance local infrastructure.
The project, which is being delivered by Eric Wright Civil Engineering Limited and funded by National Highways and Hull City Council, is part of an ambitious plan to enhance connectivity and create a more welcoming environment for both pedestrians and vehicles. It is part of a wider programme with improvements to Humber Dock Street and Princes Dock Street.
The High Street upgrade will get underway from Tuesday 6 May and is a key component of Hull's vision to connect the historic Old Town to the vibrant Fruit Market area, making the city a more attractive destination for locals and visitors alike. The improvements also align with Hull’s broader goal of building upon the legacy of its cultural renaissance, with an emphasis on enriching the maritime heritage that the city is known for.
The proposals for High Street aim to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly route, ensuring better connectivity between two of the city’s most important areas: the Old Town and the Fruit Market.
Key features of the upgrade include:
- New raised pedestrian crossing – A new pedestrian crossing area will be created across High Street at the junction with Church Lane Staith, with the road surface raised and paved to match the surrounding footpaths and incorporating tactile paving at the approaches. The entranceway to the High Street car park will also be raised and paved, with tactile paving either side, to improve accessibility and reinforce pedestrian priority.
- Improved accessibility – Extensive works will be carried out to repair and improve paving along the eastern footpath. At the northern end of High Street, the footway will be widened, providing greater accessibility for pedestrians of all abilities.
- Enhanced signage and interpretation – New information panels will be placed along High Street, helping people navigate the route between the Fruit Market and Old Town while also highlighting the historic significance of the area. As part of the wider Hull Maritime Trail, these features will draw attention to the rich maritime history that has shaped Hull.
Gillian Osgerby, Hull City Council’s interim assistant director of major projects and infrastructure, said: "This improvement project is a vital part of Hull’s ongoing transformation. High Street is a key route connecting the Old Town and Fruit Market, and these works will not only improve accessibility for everyone but also highlight the city’s rich maritime heritage.
“We’re excited to see the project come to life, and we’re committed to ensuring that the disruption is kept to a minimum for residents, motorists, and businesses while we enhance this important part of the city."
The ongoing improvements on High Street are not just about upgrading infrastructure - they also contribute to a new maritime experience for the city. As part of the Hull Maritime Trail, High Street is a significant point of interest, and the enhancements will provide visitors with an enriched understanding of the city’s maritime history, complementing the broader cultural and heritage-based initiatives in the area.
To enable the works to take place there will be a lane closure with two-way traffic lights and the eastern footway will be completely closed. There will be a pedestrian diversion that will divert pedestrians onto the western footway. Once the eastern footway is complete then they will reverse the setup so that they can work on the western footway.
The project is expected to take approximately three months to complete, with efforts being made to minimise disruption to residents and businesses whilst works take place. Regular updates will be provided to keep the public informed about progress and any changes to traffic or pedestrian access.
