A Driver's Guide to the Upcoming North Bridge: Weekend Closures for Vital Resurfacing Work

Anyone who travels around Hull knows that getting from A to B smoothly is the goal. But sometimes, a bit of short-term disruption is needed to keep things running well in the long run. That’s exactly the case with some important news from Hull City Council regarding North Bridge. The council has announced plans for some vital resurfacing work, which means a couple of weekend closures are on the cards to make sure the bridge remains in top condition for all road users. While nobody enjoys a diversion, these repairs are essential for ensuring public safety.

So, what’s the plan for North Bridge?

Think of a busy road like the sole of your favourite trainers. Over time, with thousands of cars, vans, and lorries going over it every day, the surface starts to wear down. That’s what’s happened to parts of the road surfacing on the North Bridge. To sort this out, essential resurfacing work is needed. This isn't just a quick patch-up job; it's a proper fix to make the road smooth and safe again. The reason for doing these repairs now is to get the bridge ready for an increase in traffic. Soon, the nearby Drypool Bridge is scheduled for its own closure, starting around mid-to-late May 2026. When that happens, North Bridge will become a key diversion route, so it needs to be in great shape to handle all those extra vehicles. By getting this resurfacing work done proactively, the council avoids a situation where the road surface gets worse and forces an unplanned closure, which would cause a much bigger inconvenience for everyone. This planned approach ensures the long-term safety and reliability of the bridge.

The dates you need in your diary

The work requires a full closure of the bridge to make sure the contractors can work safely and efficiently. The planned weekend closures were scheduled to affect all road users, including cars, cyclists, and even emergency vehicles. Here are the dates that were announced:

• From 6am Saturday 21 March until 6am Monday 23 March

• From 6am Saturday 11 April until 6am Monday 13 April

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The second of these closures, which was due to take place from Saturday 11 April to Monday 13 April, has now been postponed. Hull City Council will provide an update with a new date once it has been confirmed. It’s a good reminder that all planned weekly roadworks can be subject to change, so it’s always best to check for the latest traffic and travel updates before you set off. Things like bad weather can affect the schedule, as this kind of resurfacing work is often weather dependent.

How this might affect your journey

During the one confirmed closure period in March, and for any future rescheduled closures, the bridge will be completely shut to traffic. However, it's not all bad news. For anyone on foot, the footpaths on the North Bridge will remain open, so pedestrian access won’t be affected. For all other road users, a clearly signposted diversion route will be in place via Drypool Bridge. Naturally, a diversion means your journey might take a little longer than usual. The council is encouraging people to plan their journeys in advance and allow for extra travel time. A bit of forward-planning can make all the difference and help avoid the stress of being late. The full closure is a necessary step to ensure the safety of both the public and the contractors carrying out the essential repairs on the road surfacing.

A word from the council

The team at Hull City Council understands that any bridge closure can be a hassle. They are asking for the public’s patience and cooperation while this important work is carried out. Councillor Mark Ieronimo, the portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, explained the thinking behind the project.

“With the increased volume of traffic that will use North Bridge as part of the diversion and designated bus route during the upcoming Drypool Bridge closure, these works are essential to ensure the bridge remains safe and operational. By repairing the deteriorated areas now, we can prevent them from worsening and avoid a much more disruptive, unplanned closure in the future. We understand the inconvenience these weekend closures will cause and appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation whilst our contractors carry-out these vital works.”

This highlights the forward-thinking approach: dealing with the issue now to prevent a bigger headache down the line. The scheme is being managed by the council’s bridges team in partnership with specialist contractors, Midland Industrial Flooring Limited and Ashcourt Limited, to ensure the repairs are done to a high standard.

How to stay in the loop with traffic updates

You can visit the Live Traffic and Travel section on the Travel Hull website for a detailed view of what’s happening on the city’s roads.