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Humber Bridge Board To Raise Walkway Barriers

Posted on By Ashley Bailey

Humber Bridge Board To Raise Walkway Barriers

The Humber Bridge Board has agreed plans to raise the barriers on the walkways of the Grade One listed structure to increase safety and security for visitors and people using the bridge.

The planned work will see vertical steel posts with horizontal wire attached to the existing barriers to improve welfare for bridge visitors and users, without compromising on the spectacular views. 

The announcement follows a feasibility study that got underway in 2019 which included rigorous testing of the proposed design to ensure it will have no detrimental impacts on the bridge, or on pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. 

The design also has to take account of the Grade One listed status of the bridge, which involved discussions with the local Conservation Teams and Historic England. The Board will now submit the proposals to both East Riding of Yorkshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council for Listed Building Consent, which is required  before work can go ahead.

Richard Hannigan, Chair of the Humber Bridge Board, said: “Raising the barriers on the Humber Bridge walkways has been the subject of debate for a long time. However, finding a solution that doesn’t detrimentally impact on the bridge has always been the major challenge. 

“To overcome this, the Board launched a feasibility study into increasing the height of the existing barriers in 2019 and we’re delighted to report that process has been a success.

“The proposed design will provide a sturdy but lightweight extension that will increase the parapets to 2.7m without impacting on the integrity or performance of the bridge. 

“It will not detract from the spectacular views along the Humber Estuary that the bridge affords, and we believe it meets the criteria set down by Historic England as a Grade One listed structure.” 

The Humber Bridge Board have allocated a budget £3m for the project, which also includes removal of the old maintenance gantries and have agreed to borrow money to fund the scheme, meaning bridge tolls will not increase to pay for it. 

Cllr Hannigan, who is also Deputy Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, added the move would make the bridge safer for everyone who visits it. 

“The Humber Bridge Board believes everyone who uses the bridge, whether for commuting or leisure, should be able to do so in the safest possible environment,” he said. 

“Now we have found a workable solution to raising the walkway barriers, the Board wants to ensure this important work is carried out.” 

ENDS

Contractor appointment brings free flow tolling one step closer at the Humber Bridge

Posted on By Ashley Bailey

Free flow tolling has moved a step closer at the Humber Bridge.

The Humber Bridge Board has appointed industry-leading US company Neology to install a new
tolling system designed to improve the customer experience and revolutionise how payments are
taken.

The new system will see the bridge go fully booth-free for the first time in its 43-year history, with
payments being made through a new website and mobile app.

As part of the project, those wishing to pay with cash will be able to do so via Paypoint at key locations
across the region, although cash will not be taken at the Humber Bridge or the Humber Bridge offices.

Once completed, the new system will increase requirements for back-office staff, meaning those
currently working in the toll booths will be offered the opportunity to apply for new roles.
Richard Hannigan, Chair of the Humber Bridge Board and Deputy Leader of North Lincolnshire
Council, described the appointment of Neology as a key milestone in delivering the new toll system
project.

The multi-million pound scheme will utilise key technologies including artificial intelligence and
automatic number plate recognition, Cllr Hannigan explained, to significantly improve the user
experience.

He said: “We conducted a thorough and extensive tender process to find the right partner to provide
the new tolling system, and received some impressive bids from companies across the world.

“However, Neology’s submission stood out as the best design solution to address the needs of our
customers.

“We are very excited to see this vital project move forward as it will deliver a range of significant
improvements for motorists using the bridge, helping to bring the two sides of the estuary closer
together, and ensure that making payments is a quick, easy and painless process.

“We know these are the improvements our customers would most like to see and we’re committed
to delivering them as part of this fantastic project.”

Andrew Arundel, Chief Operating Officer of the Humber Bridge, reassured motorists that disruption
will be kept to a minimum during the installation phase of the scheme.

He said: “Currently, the project is in the design stage meaning work will not begin on site for several
months.

“When it does, understandably there will be some concern it will generate a large amount of
disruption for bridge users. Whereas this might be the case during some of the key moments in the
project, the schedule of work will be designed to keep disruption to a minimum.

“Once the work is completed, crossing the bridge will become a more pleasant experience.”

Commenting on the appointment, Luke Normington, Neology’s Senior Vice of Europe, the Middle
East and Africa (EMEA), said: “Following a highly competitive tender, which focused on technical
expertise and innovation, we are proud to have been entrusted with this project.

“Bringing our global expertise in the tolling solutions, coupled with our long-term expertise in the
UK, provides the perfect understanding of how to deliver this solution to improve the experience
of the people who travel on that bridge, every day.

“We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Andrew Arundel and the team at the
Humber Bridge.”

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