Hull City Council Reintroduces Bus Gate Ahead of Drypool Bridge Closure on 27 May

In a bid to keep the city moving during the upcoming closure of Drypool Bridge, Hull City Council has announced the reintroduction of the city centre Bus Gate. This temporary measure will be in place from Wednesday 27 May for approximately eight weeks, aiming to support the daily commuters who rely on bus services to travel in and out of Hull.

Why The Bus Gate Matters

Every day, around 42,000 people use buses in Hull, making reliable public transport crucial for many residents. The Bus Gate is designed to ensure that these bus services remain operational and efficient during the bridge's closure, minimising disruption for passengers and helping to avoid congestion in the city centre.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, who oversees transport and infrastructure for Hull City Council, highlighted the importance of this measure: “The Bus Gate is a temporary but essential measure to keep the city moving during the upcoming closure of Drypool Bridge. Thousands of residents rely on buses every day, particularly those without access to a car.”

How The Bus Gate Works

The reintroduced Bus Gate will be operational from Guildhall Road to Dock Street and will only allow eastbound traffic. This means that only specific vehicles are permitted to enter this route, including:

• Buses

• Cyclists

• Motorcycles

• Taxis

• Emergency vehicles

• Hackney carriages

All other vehicles will need to redirect their journey using Wilberforce Drive and George Street, depending on their direction of travel. The Bus Gate will operate 24 hours a day, ensuring bus services can continue without delay.

Enforcement of The Bus Gate

To help everyone adjust to this change, the council will issue warning notices for the first ten days after the Bus Gate is activated. Starting 6 June, any unauthorised vehicles using the route will face a £70 penalty charge. However, this fine can be reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

This approach is similar to what was implemented during the first closure of Drypool Bridge in autumn 2025, which helped maintain bus movement in the city centre effectively. The council hopes that by reintroducing the Bus Gate, it can provide passengers with continuity and confidence while the bridge is closed.

Community Impact

The closure of Drypool Bridge is expected to affect many people, particularly those who depend on public transport. The Bus Gate is a proactive step to ensure that bus services remain reliable and accessible during this time. Councillor Ieronimo emphasised that without such measures, congestion could quickly build up, impacting the wider road network and making travel more challenging for everyone.

“This is not a permanent change. It is a short-term measure, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation while it is in place,” he added.